Iraqi oil experts visit Aberdeen

Oil production in Iraq has been stagnant for years

A high-powered delegation from the oil ministry in Iraq is spending a week in Aberdeen.

A group of the country's top engineers, geologists and geophysicists are keen to learn how their industry can benefit from North Sea expertise.

The visit - the first of its kind to the UK since the fall of Saddam Hussein - was arranged through Blackwatch Petroleum Services.

The oil and gas consultancy has offices in Aberdeenshire.

The company's deputy managing director is an Iraqi.

The visitors from Iraq's state-owned Oil Exploration Company are keen to learn as much as possible about advances in computer software and technology.

They say oil production in Iraq has been stagnant for years and are keen to catch up.

They have acknowledged that the security situation will deter many companies from investing in their country.

However, they said UK firms could still become involved without sending staff to Iraq because so much of the exploration work is computer-based.