Iraq could hold almost twice as much oil in its reserves as had been thought, according to the most comprehensive independent study of its resources since the US-led invasion in 2003.

西部沙漠地区的储量可能比原先的预期高出1000亿桶，显示伊拉克有可能成为全球最大的石油供应国之一，也显示出它对国际石油公司的吸引力--但前提是，该国的冲突问题能够得到解决。

The potential presence of a further 100bn barrels in the western desert highlights the opportunity for Iraq to be one of the world's biggest oil suppliers, and its attractions for international oil companies - if the conflict in the country can be resolved.

如果这些新增储量得到确认，伊拉克在全球储量排行榜上的位置将从第三升至第二，仅次于沙特阿拉伯。伊拉克目前已探明石油储量为1160亿桶。

If confirmed, it would raise Iraq from the world's third largest source of oil reserves with 116bn barrels to second place, behind Saudi Arabia.


顾问机构IHS进行的这项研究还估计，如果国际投资开始流入伊拉克，5年之内，该国的石油日产量可从目前的不足200万桶迅速增至400万桶。

The study from IHS, a consultancy, also estimates that Iraq's production could be increased from its current rate of less than 2m barrels a day to 4m b/d within five years, if international investment begins to flow.

按照这种速度，伊拉克将会成为全球5大石油生产国之一。

That would put Iraq in the top five oil-producing countries in the world, at current rates.


IHS的这项研究依据的是伊战前后收集的数据，显示了油田的储量和生产历史。

The IHS study is based on data collected in Iraq both before and after the invasion, showing the oilfields' reserves and production history.


其估计值基于地质调查分析。

Its estimate is based on analysis of geological surveys.

伊拉克的生产成本很低，特别是与更为复杂的海上开发相比。

Production costs in Iraq are low, particularly compared to the more complex offshore¹ developments.

IHS估计，在伊拉克，每桶石油的生产成本不足2美元。

IHS estimates that they are less than $2 a barrel.

但是，伊拉克石油业的发展依赖于安全环境的改善，而要想实现这一点仍然非常困难。

But the development of the industry depends on an improvement in the security environment, which remains² very difficult.

巴格达什叶派地区昨天发生5起汽车炸弹袭击，导致至少170人丧生，成为美军和伊拉克部队2月份发动联合打击行动以来，巴格达发生的死伤最严重的袭击事件。就在袭击发生数小时之前，伊拉克总理努里o马利基(Nouri al-Maliki)刚刚声称，伊拉克军队将做好准备，在年底之前接管伊拉克全部18个省的主要安全职责。

At least 170 people were killed yesterday in five co-ordinated car bomb attacks in Shia districts of Baghdad, the deadliest attacks the city has seen since US and Iraqi forces launched a joint³ security crackdown in February. The attacks came hours after Nouri al-Maliki, prime minister, claimed that Iraqi forces would be in a position to take over primary responsibility for security in all of Iraq's 18 provinces by the end of the year.