UK energy company BP has signed an agreement with the Iraqi government to invest in several giant oilfields in Kirkuk, in a move expected to provide a big boost to the Opec producer's energy production.

BP Plc finalized an agreement with the government of Iraq to redevelop the giant Kirkuk oil fields, a deal that signals a return to the company’s Middle Eastern routes and should help to bolster production from the OPEC member.

DUBAI (Reuters) -Iraq and oil major BP have signed a deal to redevelop four Kirkuk oil and gas fields, BP said on Tuesday, a breakthrough for Iraq, where output has been constrained by years of war, corruption and sectarian tensions.

BP (NYSE:BP) and Iraq's government have signed a deal to redevelop four Kirkuk oil and gas fields, Iraq's state news agency reported Tuesday, marking a breakthrough for the country, where production has been hampered by years of war,