According to Iraq's oil ministry, Iraq may award China the first foreign contract to develop its vast oil resources if Beijing agrees to put into effect a deal originally signed with Saddam Hussein.Asim Jihad, the ministry spokesperson said that Hussain al-Shahristani, the Iraqi oil minister, will visit China, Japan and Australia shortly to discuss projects and developing exports.
In the past Iraqi oil officials have forecast that China will agree to develop the 90 000-barrel per day Ahdab field in south central Iraq - awarded to China National Petroleum Corp and Chinese state arms manufacturer Norinco, by Saddam Hussein.
