Hunt Oil Kurdistan

A Congressional committee concluded in early July, 2008, that Hunt Oil, an oil company with close ties to President Bush, was encouraged by the State Department to sign deals with the government of Kurdistan, despite strong opposition from Iraq's central government. Hunt Oil was the first company to sign a deal with Kurdistan, and did so before a comprehensive oil plan for Iraq had been decided upon in Baghdad.¹

Fast Facts

1. Hunt Oil CEO: Ray L. Hunt
2. Ray L. Hunt also on board of Halliburton²
3. Kurdistan passed oil and gas law in August, 2008
4. Date deal signed: September, 2008
5. U.S. State Department claims it tried to discourage deal²
6. After deal completed, other oil companies signed deals with Kurdish government²
7. President Bush denies knowing anything about deal²

Hunt Oil's Deal

According to House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led by Henry Waxman, the Bush administration allowed the oil deal to proceed despite concerns that it could undermine efforts by the Iraqi government to craft a comprehensive oil resources plan for the struggling nation.¹ Ray L. Hunt, Hunt Oil's chief executive, is a member of President Bush's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board and a key fundraiser for the Republican Party.²

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