Iraq has set a new deadline for the issuance of permits for the exploitation of three natural gas fields, with total estimated reserves of 317 billion cubic meters.

The largest of the three fields is located in al-Anbar Province, in the western part of Iraq close to the Syrian border. The field has estimated reserves of 185 billion cubic meters.

[Not surprisingly, Syria has been eyeing a pipeline for the transport of surplus natural gas through its territory for export to European buyers.]

Source: Al-Hayat, London, September 24, 2010