Energy

New SOMO director named as Iraq reshuffles oil sector leadership

Ali Nazar al-Shatari will be Iraq's new head of oil marketing as the Sudani government makes changes across several top oil posts.

SOMO Deputy Director General and Head of Crude Ali Nazar al-Shatari (right), at the Nov. 30, 2016, OPEC meeting in Vienna with then-Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar Ali al-Luiebi (center), and then-SOMO Director General Falah Alamri (left). (Source: OPEC Media Office)

Sep 1, 2023

Q&A: Arkan Abdul-Satar Abdul-Jabbar, director of Zubair oil field

One of Iraq's most prolific oil fields can only meet production targets if it can secure additional supplies of water to inject into reservoirs.

Aug 21, 2023

Iraq crude oil production up in July as KRG oil trickles back online

Exports and output are rising, but Kurdistan's oil industry is still in crisis due to the northern pipeline outage.

Aug 18, 2023

Upcoming Iraq-Turkey diplomacy aims for pipeline progress

Imminent ministerial-level visits to Baghdad and Ankara are likely to address major challenges to restarting Iraq’s northern exports.

Aug 9, 2023

KRG starts work to expand gas pipeline network

Construction is underway on a new pipeline to bring gas supplies from the Khor Mor field up to Dohuk.

Aug 2, 2023

Partial budget payment highlights divide in Baghdad-Erbil negotiations

The KRG has received 598 billion dinars under the new budget law — a fraction of its theoretical monthly entitlement.

Jul 28, 2023

Baghdad and Erbil claim progress toward budget implementation

Key details remain unresolved, including the lynchpin issue of whether oil companies will get paid enough to enable KRG fields to restart.

Jul 25, 2023

KRG begins implementing budget law with crude transfers to Baghdad

Sign of cooperation bolsters KRG argument for starting federal budget transfers.

Jul 19, 2023

Iraq’s June oil production steady, but losses mount for KRG operators

Federal crude output continues trend of small monthly gains in June, partially compensating for loss of Kurdistan production due to ongoing pipeline outage.

Jul 17, 2023

Ali Maarij to be named Iraq’s deputy oil minister

Current deputy, Laith al-Shahir, former head of legal directorate, reaches mandatory retirement age.

Jul 14, 2023

New life for Iraq’s southern oil export expansion

A $417M subsea pipeline project that was funded and then suspended over the past two months has gotten Cabinet approval again, with a half million barrel per day capacity increase slated for next year.