The delay is the latest for the project that was supposed to be completed in 2018, and is sorely needed to expand fuel supply, reduce purchase costs, and provide an additional outlet for Iraqi crude output.

Final paperwork expected to be signed Monday between Iraq and TotalEnergies, after which the company will begin to take over the Ratawi oil field operations.

KRG crude exports are still shut in due to the northern pipeline outage, but federal exports have increased further, nearing the maximum capacity of outdated Basra Gulf infrastructure.

The Malaysian company wants to sell its stake to Pertamina due to late payments and low profit margins.

Northern pipeline outage gives Baghdad leeway for southern output increases despite tightened OPEC-plus quotas.

Another new contracting round builds on recent momentum to attract investors and raise domestic gas supplies.