Energy

Kurdistan crude export deadlock persists

Hard-liners in Baghdad appear to be rejecting compromise with oil companies in negotiations to reopen the northern pipeline to Turkey.

Iraqi Prime Minsiter Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (center) and Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghani (left) visit a project to install a gas pipeline to feed the Bismayah power station on April 3, 2025. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

Nov 1, 2023

Iraq unveils details for new bidding rounds

In an effort to attract foreign investors to its upcoming licensing rounds, the Oil Ministry is adding more projects and better contractual terms.

Oct 24, 2023

Deadly firefight highlights unresolved tensions over territorial disputes

Iraqi Army and Peshmerga forces clashed over a strategically important position near key energy assets.

Oct 18, 2023

September oil production steady

With the northern pipeline still offline, Iraq is compensating with robust southern exports and expanding sales into Kurdistan's local market.

Oct 12, 2023

Turkey gives official notice that pipeline can resume

Political obstacles within Iraq are still preventing crude exports from restarting after a formal letter from BOTAS to SOMO confirmed the pipeline is ready.

Oct 5, 2023

Iraq oil exports steady in September

Crude sales averaged above 3.4 million for the third straight month as Iraq maxes out southern export outlets.

Oct 4, 2023

Obstacles remain after Turkey signals pipeline is ready

Northern exports can only come online if Baghdad strikes new political and commercial agreements.

Sep 30, 2023

Iraq presses claim to enforce arbitration award against Turkey

In a U.S. legal filing, Iraq contested Turkey's effort to flip the award in its own favor, as the two sides still appear deadlocked over a restart of Iraq’s northern exports.

Sep 27, 2023

Loans begin to flow, but KRG faces uphill battle for financial security

Baghdad has begun implementing a three-month deal to enable payments for Kurdistan's civil servants, prompting political backlash.

Sep 23, 2023

Technical talks signal potential progress on Iraq-Turkey Pipeline

Recent meetings show renewed efforts to set terms for reopening the export pipeline, but top-level political approval is hardly assured.

Sep 21, 2023

Q&A: Jumaha Sheyah al-Maliki, Director of Water Resources in Basra

Iraq's natural waterways have little spare supply for oil fields that need more water injection to sustain reservoir pressure and hit higher production targets.