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)

Dec 12, 2021

$4+ billion debt compounds Kurdistan’s electricity challenges

Power producers in Iraqi Kurdistan are owed huge sums, forcing some to delay maintenance and sending a chilling signal to prospective investors.

Dec 8, 2021

Iraq seeks to diversify power imports as Iran tightens supply

Iraq's electricity service has suffered amidst unreliable gas and power imports from Iran, but efforts are moving slowly to diversify supply via four other neighboring countries due to unresolved pricing negotiations.

Dec 7, 2021

Intensifying IS attacks strike near northern oil fields

In a single week, deadly insurgent operations near the Khurmala, Avana, Bai Hassan, and Sarqala oil fields showcase IS's firepower and persistence.

Dec 2, 2021

Iraqi exports rise as OPEC continues quota increase

Iraq's November exports increased, but oil revenues dipped because of falling global crude prices.

Nov 17, 2021

Climate change comes to Iraq

Unprecedented droughts are drying up farm land, driving migration to cities, and compounding economic hardships and instability.

Nov 16, 2021

Q&A: Hussein Abdul-Kadhim Hussein, director of the Rumaila Operating Organization

Even though Iraq is emerging from OPEC-plus quota constraints, its most prolific oil field is still producing well below capacity as BP, PetroChina, and BOC negotiate near-term plans.

Nov 11, 2021

Iraqi oil output edges lower in October

Production dipped slightly, but loosening OPEC quotas mean Iraq is gaining leeway to draw on spare capacity.

Nov 4, 2021

U.S., UK firms join Halliburton bid for Exxon’s stake in West Qurna 1

The American investment firm Twelve Seas and the UK's Wood Group are proposing to partner with Halliburton to buy Exxon’s interest in one of Iraq’s largest oil fields.

Nov 2, 2021

October oil exports steady as rising prices lift revenues

Thanks to surging global crude prices, Iraq generated its highest monthly oil export revenues since October 2018.

Oct 20, 2021

Iraq continues uptrend with September crude production surge

Iraq's countrywide oil output increased 3 percent in September as OPEC-plus quotas rise.