Iraq to Double Oil Production: Oil Minister

Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein Al Shahristani said that the country plans to double oil output by 2010 from two million barrels per .

The minister reported a steady increase of oil production in 2006 amid efforts to protect the nation's energy infrastructure.

"We are increasing production," Al Shahristani said on July 26 during a meeting with representatives of major U.S. oil companies.

The minister briefed BP America, Chevron, ExxonMobil and Shell on the prospect of participating in Oil Ministry exploration and development projects, Middle East Newsline reported. He said the ministry has not been negotiating with any U.S. firm.