KIEV, July 3 - Interpipe has announced putting in place a local support team to work on the ground based in Basra following approval from South Oil Company (SOC), one of the major fundamental formations of Iraqi national oil company (INOC), as a preferred supplier for the country.

"Interpipe has appointed a new Iraq country manager with immediate effect based in Basra, to provide company facilities and fulfill on-the-ground security requirements," reads the announcement.