An Oil Ministry source says the Ministry has warned Western Oilsands of Canada against ignoring the
central government in Baghdad and going ahead with its exploration contract with the Kurdish government in northern Iraq. According to this source, acting Oil Minister Hashem Al-Hashemi is preparing to advise the government to punish any foreign company trying to bypass the Oil Ministry. Det Norske Oljeselskap (DNO) of Norway, Petoil and Genel Energy, both of Turkey, Woodside of Australia and Heritage Oil of Canada, all have oil interests in Kurdistan in northern Iraq.
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