The Basra governor wants to hold IOCs responsible for building treatment plants for a province starved of clean water.
Meeting on Thursday paves way for study of three fields as Iraqi officials envision larger role for Chevron.
Demonstrations continued for a fifth week as protesters say demands remain unanswered.
Oil Ministry unleashes latent capacity from state-run fields in July, more than compensating for production dips resulting from protests in southern Iraq.
As protests re-gain momentum at key oil sites in Basra, Mayahi details the network of government forces providing security and the challenges they face.
Federal oil revenues hit a four-year high as exports increased through both the Basra Gulf and the KRG-controlled northern export system.
A demonstration threatens to shut down roads into the West Qurna 1 oil field as protesters, emboldened by a supportive message from Sistani, rail against government failures.
A shut-down of transmission lines left millions without power for hours, reinforcing the grievances of a protest movement that has caused minor disruptions at oil sites.
Attacks on Basra oil field and power lines mean promises of jobs and services have yet to settle concerns.
Widespread civil unrest has begun to subside, at least temporarily - leaving key oil sites disrupted but intact.
