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October
18 out going Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luabi transferred nine-state
owned oil and service companies to the new National Oil Company (INOC) that he
is heading. While this was part of the plan for the new oil business, the
timing, a week before a new government is to be announced raised the ire of
Prime Minister designate Adel Abdul Mahdi.
That same day Minister Luabi issued his order, Mahdi posted
on Facebook that Prime Minister Haidar Abadi and President Barham
Salah should
stop any unconstitutional and illegal actions, appointments and
contracts at the last minute. He said his new administration would cancel
anything it found illegal. A senior official told Iraq Oil Report this was
aimed at Luabi. Mahdi obviously did not like such a sweeping transfer of assets
to happen just before he officially took office. That was especially true
because the person that did it would have control of those businesses in his
new position as INOC head.
Will the switch be reversed? That would seem unlikely as it
was part of the plan for the new National company to take over oil operations.
It could complicate the relationship between the two especially since Laubi is
suppose to answer to the premier.
SOURCES
Iraq News Network, “Abdul Mahdi calls issuance of appointments
unconstitutional,” 10/18/18
Kullab, Samya, Al-Aqily, Ali, “Luiebi issues INOC orders
with uncertain powers,” Iraq Oil Report, 10/18/18
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