Shafaq News/ Deputy Director of Contracts and Licensing at the Ministry of Oil Sabah al-Sa’adi  said to "Shafaq News", "Exxon Mobil is among the 37 companies which bought the information packages to participate in the fourth licensing round,
" noting that "the participation of Exxon Mobil in the round is pending currently awaiting its position towards  the  contract with the Kurdistan Region. "The Oil Ministry announced, on the past Sunday, the "Shafaq  News" Exxon Mobil has to choose  between two options, either to work in the Kurdistan Region or  in the West Qurna field."Exxon Mobil in the event chose to work in the province of Kurdistan, it will be included in the blacklist and therefore would not be allowed to participate in the fourth round of licensing, but if it chooses to end its work in the region, they will participate in the round." Sa’adi added.

The Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki recently announced after his return from America that Exxon Mobil " promised to review its decision" on the oil contract signed with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq that is rejected by the Baghdad government.

The Ministry of Natural Resources in the Kurdistan Region Revealed to " Shafaq  News" that Exxon Mobil did not stop working and will continue exploration and extraction in the region, according to a signed contract with them.