A long-sought deal is getting high-level political attention, and some officials expect to clinch an initial contract in January.
Defending its oil sector independence, the KRG has so far succeeded at entangling Baghdad's legal offensive in procedural delays.
Baghdad's Commercial Court again postponed the Oil Ministry's lawsuit against seven oil companies operating in Kurdistan.
OPEC's second-largest producer is struggling to take advantage of loosening quotas and spare capacity due to infrastructure bottlenecks.
Allawi discusses ending Kurdistan budget transfers, new expenditures under a stop-gap spending law, power payments to Iran, and implementing a Chinese financing deal.
Expansive policy targets both IOCs and sub-contractors, raising pressure on Kurdistan's oil sector amidst legal battles.
A new lawsuit filed in Erbil could complicate the Oil Ministry's legal action in Baghdad against Kurdistan's oil companies.
Monthly oil revenues topped $11 billion, boosted by high global prices, but export levels slipped as Iraq bumps up against infrastructure constraints.
Oil companies did not send authorized representatives to court Sunday, prompting a delay in the Oil Ministry's new lawsuit seeking to enforce a landmark ruling against Kurdistan's oil sector.
IOCs summoned to appear in federal commercial court as Oil Ministry also signals international legal campaign against Kurdistan's oil sector independence.
High oil prices are spurring international oil companies in Kurdistan to raise production, even as they face new legal threats, political upheaval, and commercial uncertainty.
