The Iraqi government signed an agreement with British Petroleum (BP) to rehabilitate and develop the four oil fields in Kirkuk. The signing ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister's office received by Shafaq News Agency, the signing follows agreements with the company on technical issues and contractual terms, including the project's economic model, based on memorandums of understanding signed in London during Al-Sudani's recent visit to Britain. The visit aimed to secure the best contractual terms and benefits for the Iraqi side after detailed and lengthy negotiations with the Ministry of Oil, under the Prime Minister's guidance, to optimize energy investment, provide crude oil for northern refineries, and reduce dependence on southern oil. The agreement is the final step before the contract's formal signing.

The statement added that the agreement includes the development of the four main Kirkuk fields (Bai Hassan, Kirkuk with its two domes "Baba and Avana," Jambur, and Khabbaz), ensuring the utilization of associated gas and the rehabilitation and expansion of gas facilities at North Gas Company, and the construction of a power plant with a capacity of 400 megawatts to achieve the project's integrated strategic objectives.

The statement noted that the project would provide employment opportunities in various specialties, engage local companies, implement social benefit projects, and develop the skills of engineering and technical resources supporting the staff of North Oil Company and North Gas Company, within the government's vision for training programs and raising competency levels provided by BP in coordination with the Ministry of Oil.