Energy

Kurdistan crude export deadlock persists

Hard-liners in Baghdad appear to be rejecting compromise with oil companies in negotiations to reopen the northern pipeline to Turkey.

Iraqi Prime Minsiter Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (center) and Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghani (left) visit a project to install a gas pipeline to feed the Bismayah power station on April 3, 2025. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

May 11, 2021

Q&A: Dhi Qar Gov. Ahmed al-Khafaji

Weeks after taking office, Dhi Qar's new governor discusses aspirations for quelling oil protests, raising employment, and attracting investment.

May 6, 2021

Q&A: Sheikh Kadhim Majeed al-Sarayefi

A Basra tribal leader discusses his business relationship with international oil companies, the need for private-sector development, and the problem of tribal violence.

May 4, 2021

April oil revenues drop slightly despite increased exports

Because of weaker global oil prices, Iraqi oil revenues dropped 5 percent even though exports ticked upward.

May 1, 2021

Oil Ministry objects to Iraqi budget law, citing risks to oil sector

Iraq cannot pay oil companies on time under its 2021 budget law, the Oil Ministry said in an official letter seeking a legal intervention.

Apr 28, 2021

March production dips, but Iraq eyes capacity surge

Nationwide oil output fell by 100,000 bpd, but the Oil Ministry is poised to bring new production online as OPEC quotas look set to ease.

Apr 26, 2021

Q&A: Dhia Shaker al-Luaibi, director of Majnoon oil field

Basra Oil Company's field manager at Majnoon talks foreign interest and Iraqi success in developing the field once operated by Shell.

Apr 23, 2021

Total and Iraq face difficult sticking points in details of massive energy deal

The two sides still need to overcome the same sticking points that have derailed Iraq's previous attempts at multi-faceted Basra mega-deals.

Apr 22, 2021

Q&A: Khalid Hamza Abbas, Basra Oil Company director general

The chief of Basra's oil sector discusses Exxon's impending departure from West Qurna 1, Total's bid for a massive new deal, and Iraq's efforts to develop new capacity from state-run fields.

Apr 21, 2021

Exxon sets deadline to exit West Qurna 1, prompting tough talks with Iraq

The Oil Ministry wants to replace Exxon with another American company, while Exxon has lined up two Chinese firms to buy its stake.

Apr 20, 2021

Iraq awards Mansuriya gas field to Sinopec, boosting hopes for domestic gas sector

Key gas project beset by contracting and security problems could serve domestic energy demand and ease sanctions tension with Washington.