Iraqis agree to a post-war role for big oil producers

Legal preparations for long-term contracts with international oil firms should "be started concomitantly" with the repair work, one briefing said.

It estimated US$30 billion to US$35 billion will be needed to add another about another 4 million to 4.5 million barrels a day of production over a period of about 9 years.

"Such a task will require the technological and managerial know-how of the international oil companies," it said. "Given Iraq's present lack of investment capital and technical talent, production-sharing contracts might be the most feasible relationship."