Iran, Iraq discuss shared oil fields

BAGHDAD, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Iraqi oil officials welcomed their Iranian counterparts to Baghdad to discuss the issue of shared oil fields.

Baghdad and Tehran signed a series of preliminary agreements regarding the management of joint oil and bilateral energy deals following official talks in July.

A memorandum of understanding outlining those agreements defined the terms of the training of staffers in the energy sector as well as drilling and research operations.

The Iraqi Oil Ministry said meetings focused on the issues surrounding mutual oil wells, the Voices of Iraq news agency reports.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani escaped parliamentary scrutiny Tuesday as lawmakers squabbled over amendments to a national election law. No date was rescheduled for his testimony.

Shahristani has faced repeated criticism of his tenure as oil minister. The latest developments center on accusations of corruption at his ministry.

Iraq is set to hold an international auction in December for oil contracts. Crude oil exports reached 58.7 million barrels in September, VOI said.