Abstract

During the Fifties of the last century, the oil market was subjected to significant changes, imposed by producing countries. After World War II, dominance of Anglo-American oil companies on Middle Eastern oil fields was considered unacceptable and urged local governments to seek new partners. One of these was the Italian Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi, which became market leader through signing of a groundbreaking contract with Egypt first and then with Iran. The Eni's international strategy passed, therefore, to a new and challenging period when the revolution broke out in Iraq in July 1958. The essay explains the value of this experience and the milestones of the activities in Iraq during the Mattei's presidency.