Energy

Iran reversal on Strait of Hormuz threatens Iraq’s nascent export restart

Iranian forces blocked a tanker carrying Iraqi crude, dampening hopes for a durable resumption of Iraq's southern exports.

The Agios Fanourios I tanker prepares to dock at a single point mooring buoy in the Basra Gulf in April 2026 for the first loading of crude from Iraq's southern export outlets in more than a month. (Photo credit: Ministry of Transportation)

Apr 5, 2023

Karbala refinery begins to come online

The long-delayed refinery has partially opened with production of heavy fuel oil and the promise of lighter products to come.

Apr 5, 2023

TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy confirm deal to move forward on Iraq mega-projects

TotalEnergies will lead a consortium with the Basra Oil Company and QatarEnergy after overcoming difficult negotiations with Iraq over the government's stake in a potentially transformational set of energy deals.

Apr 4, 2023

UPDATE: Iraq approves compromise on TotalEnergies mega-deal

Iraq's Cabinet has approved a reduced 30 percent stake for the state in an effort to unlock a $27 billion deal that could be critical for boosting oil, gas, and electricity supplies.

Apr 4, 2023

Baghdad, Erbil sign temporary deal to resume northern exports

Signing ceremony signals strong political backing for agreement, but pipeline flows remain shut as technical details are still being negotiated.

Apr 2, 2023

Progress in Baghdad-Erbil talks over northern export restart

Under a provisional compromise deal, SOMO would take over selling crude and KRG would keep control of its oil revenue.

Mar 30, 2023

KRG export outage continues as negotiations falter

Oil companies are beginning to shut down oil production after a landmark arbitration ruling that led Turkey to halt Iraq's northern exports.

Mar 28, 2023

TotalEnergies takes hard line with Iraq on GGIP

CEO frames negotiations as a test of Iraq's ability to prioritize respect for contracts over political expedience.

Mar 25, 2023

Turkey halts Iraq’s northern exports after landmark arbitration ruling

Baghdad's legal victory appears to be altering the balance of power that has enabled Kurdistan's oil sector independence.

Mar 24, 2023

Q&A: Hamza Abdul-Baqi, director general of South Gas Company

The head of southern Iraq's gas sector discusses the expansion of BGC, associated gas processing at Nahr Bin Omar, and the Ratawi gas hub.

Mar 17, 2023

Qayarah field set to restart, with exports via Basra

The heavy oil field has been mostly offline for three years, but is scheduled to resume imminently with 30,000 bpd of production.