Iraq signs $3 billion oil deal with China

         Iraq signs $3 billion oil deal with China  BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraq has signed its first major oil deal with a foreign company since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, a spokesman for the Iraqi Oil Ministry said Saturday.     It was the first time in more than 35 years that Iraq has allowed foreign oil companies to do business inside its borders.     The contract with the China National Petroleum Corporation could be worth up to $3 billion. It would allow the CNPC to develop an oil field in southern Iraq's Wasit province for about 20 years, Oil Ministry spokesman Assim Jihad said.     Iraq's Cabinet must still approve the contract, but Jihad said that would happen soon and work could start within a few months.     The Chinese company will provide technical advisers, oil workers and equipment to develop al-Ahdab oil field, providing fuel for al-Zubaidiya power plant in Wasit, southeast of Baghdad, bordering Iran, Jihad said.     Once development begins, the field is expected to start producing a preliminary amount of 25,000 barrels of oil a day and an estimated constant daily amount of 125,000 barrels after three years, he said.     Iraq currently produces about 2.5 million barrels a day, 2 million of which are exported daily, Jihad said. That is close to its status before the U.S.-led war that toppled Saddam in 2003, but below its levels prior to the Persian Gulf War in 1991.     Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein Shahrastani said in July that he is confident Iraq will be able to double its production in the next five years.     As it did with other international companies, the Saddam regime had a partnership contract with CNPC signed at the end of the 1990s that entitled the company to share profits. The current contract, however, will be only a "service contract" under which CNPC is simply paid for its services, Jihad said.     He said Iraq has provided "security guarantees" for CNPC, as it would for any other foreign company that will work in Iraq's oil fields.     Jihad called it a major and significant move for Iraq.     Iraq sparked a scramble for lucrative oil contracts in June, when Shahrastani opened bidding to 35 international companies for long-term contracts to redevelop six oil fields.     The Oil Ministry continues to negotiate short-term, no-bid contracts with several U.S. and European oil companies, including Exxon Mobil Corp., Royal Dutch Shell, Total SA, Chevron Corp. and BP.     Iraq has among the largest oil reserves in the world, with an estimated 115 billion barrels, tying Iran for the No. 2 status behind Saudi Arabia's 264 billion barrels, according to estimates from the Energy Information Administration.  petroleum  [Hide phonetics] noun [U]  a dark, thick oil obtained from under the ground and made into fuels such as gas and heating oil, and used in making plastics      prior to= before     preliminary  [Hide phonetics] adjective [not gradable]  coming before a more important action or event, esp. introducing or preparing for it  preliminary talks a preliminary investigation  status (POSITION)    [Hide phonetics] noun [U]  position or rank, esp. in a social group or legal system  The association works to promote the status of retired people as active and useful members of the community. Status can also mean state or condition at a particular time: The type of treatment used will depend on the patient's health status.  topple  [Hide phonetics] verb [I/T]  to lean forward and fall  A large tree was toppled by the wind. If a government topples, it is forced from power: Rebels tried to topple the government.  scramble (MOVE QUICKLY)  [Hide phonetics] verb [I]  to move or climb quickly but with difficulty, often using the hands  She scrambled to safety away from the fighting. (FIG.) Poultry farmers scrambled (= worked hard and fast) to provide water to their flocks as pipes burst in Georgia's coldest weather this century. scramble  [Hide phonetics] noun [U]  (FIG.) There was a mad scramble (= many people moving at once) for the best seats in the theater    

lucrative  [Hide phonetics] adjective  producing much money or making a large profit  The owner and general manager offered the player a lucrative lifetime contract.