Baghdad: Deputy Minister of Oil for Extraction Affairs Naseer Aziz affirmed on Tuesday the ministry’s commitment to supporting specialized research and development centers and strengthening cooperation with them to contribute to the development of the oil sector and the localization of oil services.

According to Iraqi News Agency, a ministry statement said that Aziz received a number of officials from the Iraqi Oil Services Center (IOS). The meeting discussed the center’s current activities, prospects for cooperation, and ways to expand its participation in oil-sector operations.

Aziz stressed the ministry’s commitment to supporting research, development, and specialized centers given their role in transferring expertise, developing national personnel, and localizing oil services, as well as rehabilitating government-owned assets and equipment and ensuring their efficient utilization.

He also highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between oil companies and the center, describing it as a national partner in implementing operations. Aziz directed that an appropriate legal framework be studied to support the center’s activities and expand the scope of its work and operations, in a manner that strengthens the capabilities of the oil sector, contributes to increasing revenues, and supports the national economy.

The Iraqi Oil Services Center (IOS) is the trade name of a strategic partnership between Basra Oil Company, the Arab Drilling and Oil Services Company, and its partner, Gilgamesh Oil Services Company.