 Iraq hit out at Chevron Corp over its just-signed oil contract with Kurdistan, barring it from any oil agreements with the central government in a move meant to deter other companies from dealing directly with the semi-autonomous northern region.
Baghdad has long held that contracts signed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) are illegal, and last year Exxon Mobil Corp aroused its anger by striking a deal with the region while also running a project at a supergiant oilfield in the south.
Baghdad retaliated by banning Exxon from an exploration tender in May.
Chevron followed its larger rival into Kurdistan last week, and Baghdad's action on Tuesday will be closely watched by other oil majors, such as France's Total, which is widely expected to be the next to make a Kurdish oil play.
"In line with Oil Ministry policy based on the constitution, the Oil Ministry announces the disqualification of Chevron company and bars it from signing any deals with the federal Oil Ministry and its companies," the Oil Ministry said in a statement.
Last week, Chevron said it would purchase 80 percent of two blocks in Iraq's Kurdistan, an area where oil rights are a subject of fierce dispute.
Responding to the ministry's rejection, Chevron highlighted its near-decade-long relationship with Iraq's government, having started a technical assistance program in 2003.
"Our goal is to help Iraq achieve its objectives for the oil and gas industry by participating in opportunities that meet our investment criteria," Chevron said in a statement.
Yet whatever the impact on goodwill, Chevron has no material stake in the south to lose at the moment. The second-largest U.S. oil company was qualified to take part in Iraq's four oil and gas licensing rounds, but chose not to.
The company found the commercial terms of Iraq's service contract unworkable, but - like other investors - found the production-sharing contracts on offer in Kurdistan more attractive, industry sources said.
Chevron has said it will continue to monitor opportunities in both the north and south of Iraq. Iraqi oil officials said the company had shown interest in developing the giant southern Nasiriyah oilfield, which was not offered in any of the tenders.
"The reputation and credibility of Chevron and other companies are being tested today, and we are fully confident the result of its test is a total failure and it should feel ashamed of its action," the Oil Ministry statement said.
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