主题：美国裸奔了 -- 司徒彼

Four large Western oil companies are close to securing no-bid oil contracts in Iraq. If the deals are confirmed, Exxon Mobil, Shell, Total and BP would return to operations in Iraq for the first time in 36 years. Melissa Block talks to New York Times journalist Andrew Kramer

Western oil companies estimate that they can produce a barrel of Iraqi oil for less than $1.50 and possibly as little as $1, including all exploration, oilfield development and production costs and including a 15% return.