ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Thursday called on the US-based Chevron oil firm to expand its operations in Iraq to achieve Baghdad’s objectives of increasing crude oil production and diversifying export routes.

The premier held a meeting with Chevron’s President Mark Nelson in the corporation’s headquarters in Houston, attended by the Iraqi ministers of oil and electricity, as part of his ongoing visit to the US.

Zaidi called on the company “to expand and expedite its operations in Iraq to achieve the government's strategic objective of increasing crude oil production, expanding Iraq's refining capacity, and enabling the oil sector to diversify its export outlets.”

He affirmed Baghdad’s willingness to provide necessary land and facilities to establish refineries and relevant infrastructure to expand gas production levels and “expedite the process.”

Chevron is set to sign an accord with the Iraqi government on Friday to advance its interests in the West Qurna 2 and Nasiriyah oil fields, Reuters reported, citing a senior executive at the company

Iraq’s oil exports and production saw a sharp plunge with the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran in late February, which largely disrupted energy flow through the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which Iraq exports most of its oil.

Iraq exported only 18.6 million barrels of crude oil in March, compared to 99.8 million barrels in February, resulting in nearly $4 billion in lost revenue.

In June, Iraqi Deputy Minister Naseer Aziz said he had instructed oil companies operating in the country to boost production, eyeing a return to pre-crisis production levels of four million barrels per day.