Weekly Security Update

HealthcareBlogEmploymentInvestmentMark DeWeaver on Investments and FinanceJared LevyLeisure and TourismPoliticsTariq AbdellCommodities & Mining Wood Group Wins Iraq Contract Crescent Petroleum Gears Up for Expansion in Iraq Afren Falls on Interim Management Statement Al-Maliki Lays Foundation Stone for New Hospital Categorized

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Baghdad Uni Signs Agreement with Microsoft

By John  Lee.

The University of Baghdad has signed a joint cooperation agreement with Microsoft, under which the American technology giant will provide supplies for the application of scientific quality and reliability standards at the university.

The deal includes the provision of 1000 copies of Windows 7 for use by university departments, colleges and institutes and centres.

The software has been provided at discounts exceeding 80 percent.

(Source: Prime Minister’s Office)

.report

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Iraq to Invest up to $150bn to Increase Oil Output

Abu Dhabi’s TAQA to Buy Atrush Block? Iraq’s Food Rationing Controversy Baghdad Uni Signs Agreement with Microsoft Weekly Security Update Categorized

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Exclusive video: 2012 IADC Contractor of the Year Gregers Kudsk

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2012 IADC Contractor of the Year Gregers Kudsk speaks with Drilling Contractor editorial coordinator Joanne Liou about receiving the peer-selected award at the IADC Annual General Meeting, 9 November in Scottsdale, Ariz. Mr Kudsk began his career with Maersk Drilling in 1973 as an engineer and is currently vice president and senior technical advisor. The IADC Contractor of the Year award, now in its 25th year, is sponsored by National Oilwell Varco.

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Seadrill receives Letter of Award for new ultra-deepwater semisubmersible

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Seadrill has received a Letter of Award from Husky Oil Operations Limited for a five-year contract for the newbuild, harsh-environment semisubmersible West Mira for operations in Canada and Greenland. Total estimated revenue potential for the contract is approximately US $1.18 billion for the five firm years.

The West Mira is currently under construction at the Hyundai Samho Shipyard in South Korea with delivery scheduled for Q4 2014. Upon delivery from the yard, the rig will commence transit to the east coast of Canada. Start-up of operations is expected in Q2 2015. The West Mira is designed for drilling in harsh environments and water depths up to 10,000 ft. The unit will be equipped with dynamic positioning, as well as 12-point mooring capability, potential for two six-ram blowout preventers and 1,000-ton load path capacity.

The West Mira represents one out of 10 semisubmersible rigs in the Seadrill fleet capable of operations in harsh environments, eight of which have been delivered since 2008. Seadrill has another harsh environment newbuild, the West Rigel, of similar design as the West Mira, which will be delivered in Q1 2015 from the Jurong shipyard in Singapore and is currently available for contract.

“The West Mira will be the second rig Seadrill will operate in Eastern Canada. After enjoying a safe and successful drilling campaign with Husky Energy in China with the West Hercules, we are pleased that Husky has chosen to extend that relationship with a contract for a newbuild offshore Eastern Canada,” John Fredriksen, chairman of Seadrill, said.

“The award of a five-year contract with commencement in 2015 is also a clear sign of the present tightness in the harsh-environment/deepwater drilling market,

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Iranian VP Leads Delegation to Erbil Economic Forum

By John Lee.

Iran’s Vice President for International Affairs, Ali Saeedlou, led a high level political and economic delegation representing about one hundred Iranian companies to the Kurdistan Region to participate in a high profile business conference today.

The Iranian

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PM Nechirvan Barzani Visits Iran

By John Lee.

Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and a delegation of senior officials from the Kurdistan Region concluded a two-day visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran yesterday to promote greater cooperation in economic and trade relations.

With the volume of trade between the Kurdistan Region and Iran estimated to be around $8 billion this year, both sides agreed on the desire to maintain this link and highlighted the importance of adhering to mutual trade regulations in order to ensure the quality of products and provide the greatest benefit for both sides.

In his meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the two leaders touched on ways to improve economic ties as a means of benefiting Iraq as a whole. President Ahmadinejad said,

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