Energy

Southern export uptick unlocks production gains

A partial resumption in tanker traffic has enabled at least 250,000 bpd in increased oil output, but a full recovery still depends on wartime dynamics outside Iraq’s control.

Workers from Iraq's Oil Pipelines Company perform maintenance work on a gas pipeline feeding the Mansuriya power station in June 2026. (Photo credit: Oil Pipelines Company)

Aug 3, 2022

Political upheaval in Baghdad reverberates across oil sector

In the increasingly chaotic struggle to form a new government, Iraq's oil sector has been both a political battleground and a victim of dysfunctional governance.

Aug 2, 2022

KRG shifts legal tactics as Baghdad court delays further rulings

Oil Ministry lawsuits against three IOCs operating in Kurdistan remain undecided as a KRG lawyer asks to join the proceedings as a third party.

Aug 1, 2022

Iraq enforces KRG blacklist policy against four oil service companies

Weatherford and three other companies with subcontracts in Kurdistan are barred from work in southern Iraq, as Baghdad continues campaign to reverse KRG oil sector independence.

Jul 28, 2022

Muhammad Fazza Abed, Director of Karbala refinery. (STAFF/Iraq Oil Report)

Q&A: Muhammad Fazza Abed, Director of Karbala refinery

The 140,000 bpd ultra-modern Karbala refinery, federal Iraq's first large greenfield build in decades, is in the final stages of pre-commissioning now and is set for an October startup.

Jul 26, 2022

Iraq’s oil output surges in June as southern fields ramp up

Production and exports are rising as OPEC-plus quotas continue to loosen and high global oil prices bring record revenues.

Jul 20, 2022

Iraq refining sector makes incremental gains

Projects nearing completion this year could boost refining capacity by 140,000 bpd, despite chronic failures to attract foreign capital.

Jul 13, 2022

Q&A: Bassem Abdul Karim Nassir, head of the Iraqi Drilling Company

Iraq's state company for drilling has idle rigs ready for more upstream development.

Jul 8, 2022

Kurdistan amends regional oil law, reviving Oil and Gas Council

New amendments give the KRG's ruling party control of the energy sector's main policymaking body, which had been dormant for more than two years.

Jul 6, 2022

Court postpones hearing on Gulf Keystone contract with KRG

Days after declaring four of Kurdistan's oil contracts to be invalid, Baghdad court schedules a hearing on three others for July 17.

Jul 4, 2022

Baghdad court declares four KRG oil contracts void

Secretive ruling marks escalation in Oil Ministry campaign to end Kurdistan's oil sector independence.