Thanks for the link to the LA Times article TIA the guy writing it, like you understands very little about the world's oil & gas industry works, I have worked in it for the past 34 years.

Following realities still stand, irrespective of what the Iran Study Group "Recommends".

The Republic of Iraq is an independent sovereign state.

The Republic of Iraq has an internationally recognised Government elected by the people of Iraq

ALL natural resources existing within Iraq's internationally recognised boundaries are the sole property of the Republic of Iraq

ALL pipelines used to transport oil or gas are owned by Iraq's National Oil Company

The following Iraqi Oilfields are owned by Iraq's National Oil Company and Operated by the following Companies:

West Qurna Phase 2 (Lukoil - Russian);
Majnoon (Total - French);
Bin Umar (Zarubezhneft - Russian);
Nasiriya (Eni - Italian, Repsol - Spanish);
Halfaya (BHP - Australian, South Korean consortium, CNPC - Chinese, Agip - Italian);
Ratawi (Shell - Netherlands);
Tuba (ONGC - Indian, Sonatrach - BVI);
Suba-Luhais (Slavneft - Russian);
Gharaf (TPAO - Turkish, Japex - Japan);
Al-Ahdab (CNPC - Chinese);
Amara (PetroVietnam);
Western Desert (ONGC - Indian, Pertamina - Indonesia, Stroitransgaz - Russian, Tatneft - Russian)
Tawke 1 (DNO AS - Norwegian)

Production levels are currently running at about pre-war levels.

Now once you have stopped laughing, please point out where all the American oil companies are in that list.

The US plays no part in the running of Iraq's oil and gas industry.

The US has no say in anything to do with Iraqi oil.