* West Qurna 2 currently produces about 460,000 barrels per

day

* Friday's preliminary agreement would progress commercial

terms toward a final West Qurna 2 takeover deal, the executive

said

* Chevron ( CVX ) is also discussing pipeline routes to bypass the

Strait of Hormuz, the executive said

By Sheila Dang

HOUSTON, July 16 (Reuters) - Chevron ( CVX ) will sign memorandums

of understanding on Friday with the Iraqi government to advance

the U.S. oil major's interests in the West Qurna 2 and Nassiriya

oilfields, according to a senior Chevron ( CVX ) executive.

The company is also continuing talks with Iraq to produce

technical studies and evaluate potential pipeline routes to

transport crude out of the country and bypass the Strait of

Hormuz, the executive said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who took office in May,

visited Chevron's ( CVX ) Houston headquarters on Thursday as part of a

five-day trip to the U.S., which included a meeting with

President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

Iraq's government is seeking to secure U.S. partnerships

during this week's visit to the U.S. to help boost its oil

output. In February, Chevron ( CVX ) moved into exclusive talks with

Iraq for West Qurna 2, one of the world's largest oilfields that

currently produces about 460,000 barrels per day.

The preliminary agreement on Friday will progress commercial

terms and help lead to a final agreement for Chevron ( CVX ) to take

over the oilfield, the senior executive said.

Chevron ( CVX ) and Iraq signed an agreement in principle last

August to develop the Nassiriya oilfield project that consists

of four exploration blocks in addition to the development of

other producing oil fields.