ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the application of China’s global energy strategy to Iraq, with special attention to Iraqi Kurdistan. Instead of focusing on geopolitical factors, it strives to elucidate the dual role played by Chinese National Oil Companies (NOCs) in implementing this strategy. The chapter starts by showing that Chinese NOCs are both responsive to the government’s interests and committed to their own commercial logic. The rest of the chapter is organized accordingly. While the first part clarifies the global energy goals of the Chinese government and its expectations with regard to NOCs, the second part evaluates the economic attractiveness of Iraqi Kurdistan for these companies. The chapter concludes by discussing the consequences that the independence referendum and other recent political developments may have for China’s energy strategy in the region.
