Baghdad: Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi called on Chevron on Thursday to expand its operations in Iraq to increase oil production and refining capacity.

According to Iraqi News Agency, the Prime Minister's Media Office released a statement detailing that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi convened a meeting at Chevron Corporation's headquarters. The meeting involved the company's president, Mark Nelson, and its board of directors, along with Iraq's Minister of Oil, Minister of Electricity, head of the Council of Advisors, several advisors, and the Iraqi ambassador to Washington.

The Prime Minister urged Chevron to accelerate its operations in Iraq to meet the strategic objectives set by the government, which focus on increasing crude oil production, enhancing Iraq's refining capabilities, and diversifying the nation's export channels in the oil sector.

"Al-Zaidi affirmed the government's readiness to provide the necessary land, approvals, and facilities for the establishment of oil refineries and other infrastructure for the chemical industries, increase gas production levels, and transfer advanced technology to Iraq in these fields to expedite the process," according to the statement.

The Prime Minister reiterated the government's commitment to "strengthening the investment environment for international companies operating in Iraq and their contribution to job creation, thereby bolstering the Iraqi economy and enhancing its ability to address challenges."

For his part, Nelson indicated Chevron's desire to invest in Iraq's southern oil fields, pipeline projects to regional ports, and their storage facilities and to intensify efforts to shorten implementation timelines.