Lost in the oil boom
Residents living near some of Iraq's biggest oil fields say the massive projects have brought few tangible benefits and many big problems.
Near the super-giant Majnoon oil field, a resident of the marshes transports bales of reeds to the shore for sale to local farmers. (BEN VAN HEUVELEN/Iraq Oil Report/Metrography)
MIDAINA - When international oil companies started arriving in Basra in 2010, a farmer named Abu Adel was given an offer he couldn't refuse. He was summoned to a government office in Basra city, handed a check, and told to sign an agreement to leave his farm, which sat above the super-giant West Qurna 2 oil field.
"Of course I didn't want to sign, but if you refused… there was no explicit threat, but it was understood," Abu Adel said. "Either from the beginning you agree, or the police will take you."
This content is for registered users. Please login to continue.
If you are not a registered user, you may purchase a subscription.
If you are not a registered user, you may purchase a subscription.
