Energy

Damascus moves to centralize control over Syrian oil sector

Kurdish-led authorities in northeast Syria are losing their hold on the country’s largest oil fields as foreign investors look for opportunities.

A delegation from the Syria Petroleum Company visits oil facilities in northeast Syria in January 2026, shortly after they came under control of the Damascus government. (Photo credit: SPC)

May 19, 2022

Q&A: Electricity Minister Adel Karim

As Iraq approaches the summer peak of electricity demand, another crisis is looming as the caretaker government lacks the budget authority to boost power supply.

May 17, 2022

Tensions rise over alleged intrusion at Kirkuk oil wells

Iraq's North Oil Company has accused the KRG of trying to grab control of oil wells at Bai Hassan field, reflecting a long history of mistrust and political friction.

May 11, 2022

Gas pipeline stalled by intra-Kurdish political rifts

KRG leaders have been touting the potential for major gas exports to Turkey and Europe, but worsening political rivalries are so far preventing pipeline construction.

May 9, 2022

Q&A: Mohammed Fazah Abid, director of the Samawah oil refinery

The Samawah oil refinery is pushing to improve the quality of its fuel output and eventually double its size from a current capacity of 30,000 bpd.

May 3, 2022

April exports rise by 200k bpd

Countrywide oil sales have rebounded to their highest level in two years, although infrastructure bottlenecks threaten to limit further increases.

Apr 27, 2022

Iraq taps Dhi Qar oil fields for capacity expansion

Production is rising at the Gharraf field, while the Subba field prepares to come back online and the Nassiriya field starts a new drilling program.

Apr 26, 2022

Q&A: Abdulbaqi K. Ali, Oil Ministry consultant for Energy Affairs

The Oil Ministry's point person for renewable energy discusses new solar projects, gas flaring reduction, and Iraq's Paris Agreement climate goals.

Apr 25, 2022

Q&A: Alaa al-Yassiri, director general of SOMO

The head of Iraq’s state oil marketer discusses expanding and diversifying export routes and the potential for increasing Iraqi crude supply.

Apr 22, 2022

Western sanctions raise hurdles for Russia in Iraq

Russian companies face challenges with payments and reluctance from commercial partners in Iraq following the invasion of Ukraine.

Apr 20, 2022

Q&A: Haidar Fakher Nasser, director of Khor al-Zubair port

The head of Iraq's main hub for fuel imports and exports discusses the capacity of the port and ongoing projects to rehabilitate and expand the facility.