Turkey, Iraq sign energy deals; KRG oil contracts legal, lawmaker says; Levin "concerned" over Iraqi oil contracts; U.S. policy on Iraqi oil deals is "ambiguous"

WASHINGTON, July 3 (UPI) -- Bush administration officials contradicted a U.S. State Department public position during Hunt Oil's pursuit of a contract in northern Iraq, documents show.

ERBIL, Iraq, June 25 (UPI) -- It could be the new age for wildcatters, or just the new age of Iraqi oil development, but the monthly gathering of operators in Iraq's Kurdistan region is an optimistic party despite above-ground challenges that eclipse those subsoil.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department says an oil law implemented under Saddam Hussein is good enough for Iraq’s national government to sign oil deals, though it would prefer a new national law -- mired in controversy and far from approved -- to be used instead.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- The White House is now being queried on the connections to Ray Hunt, head of Hunt Oil Corp., regarding the companies deal with Iraq’s Kurdistan government.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Congress’s watchdog committee wants details from the U.S. State Department and Ray Hunt regarding the recent controversial Hunt Oil deal with Iraqi Kurds.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- A representative from Dallas-based Hunt Oil Corp. did talk with the U.S. State Department prior to signing a controversial oil deal with Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government, according to an internal department communication obtained by United Press International.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department is being pressed by Congress for information regarding the Dallas-based Hunt Oil deal with Iraq’s Kurdish government.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Oil deals with Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government hurt the federal legislative and reconciliation process, a U.S. State Department spokesman said.