Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSB.LN) and Total SA (TOT) are vying to develop a huge gas field in what was Iraq's most violent province as a source for exports to Europe, The Times of London reports Wednesday, without citing sources.
The Iraqi government held talks with a number of potential companies last week regarding development of the Akkas field in Anbar province, northwest of Baghdad, which is thought to contain up to seven trillion cubic feet of gas, the paper says.
A statement from Shell said that the Iraqi Oil Ministry had asked Shell to undertake "a long-term production test." Total was unavailable for comment, but is also understood to be interested, the paper says.