TotalEnergies has agreed with Iraq’s caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi “to extend the launch off date” of its $27bn energy sector megadeal signed in September of last year (MEES, 10 September). Speaking to MEES on the sidelines of the Energy Intelligence Forum in London on 5 October, CEO Patrick Pouyanné did not disclose when the agreement with the outgoing Iraqi government was reached but said that his firm was waiting for “stability.” “As I said in September when we signed, we will close with a new government when a new government is there.”
Iraq’s political impasse next week marks its first anniversary – a full year of no government since early parliamentary elections were held on 10 October 2021 (MEES, 15 October 2021). Warring Iraqi factions have yet to overcome their differences on forming a new government, though a newly-minted coalition spearheaded by the Iran backed Shia Coordination Framework (SCF) appears closest to the finish line (MEES, 30 September). (CONTINUED - 791 WORDS)
