Energy

Iraq terminates Akkas contract, drawing legal threats

Cabinet taps state-run Midland Oil Company as operator for fast-track gas field development with help from SLB, but contentious ouster of Ukrzemresurs could spark litigation.

Personnel from the Ukrainian company Ukrzemresurs pose in front of the Akk-1 well at the Akkas gas field after completing emergency maintenance work in the first quarter of 2025. (Photo credit: Ukrzemresurs)

Mar 19, 2021

Q&A: Ninewa Gov. Najim al-Jibouri

The military commander-turned-governor says Mosul has largely succeeded in re-establishing security — but lagging support from Baghdad is hurting the local economy, including energy investment.

Mar 16, 2021

Q&A: PUK Co-President Lahur Talabany

The co-leader of Kurdistan's second-largest party discusses politicized oil policies, factionalized leadership, security risks, and Iraq's national budget.

Mar 11, 2021

Q&A: Khor al-Zubair Port Director Ahmed Jassim al-Assadi

At Iraq's main fuel import and export hub, the the port director describes the facility's layout and activities and talks about plans to expand capacity and revenue flows.

Mar 4, 2021

Q&A: Electricity Minister Majid Mahdi Hantoush

Iraq is racing to improve electricity service in time for summer — and reduce dependence on Iranian energy imports — with new cross-border tie lines, more generation capacity, and initiatives to rein in demand.

Mar 2, 2021

Iraqi crude exports rise 4 percent in February

Bolstered by higher export volumes and rising global prices, both the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan region achieved one-year highs for monthly oil revenue.

Feb 18, 2021

Iraq maintains steady output as OPEC meeting approaches

Nationwide oil production held at just over 4 million bpd in January, as Iraq positions itself for a meeting of the OPEC-plus coalition that will determine quotas for the second quarter of 2021.

Feb 9, 2021

Q&A: Oil Minister Ihsan Ismaael

Gas and refining sector developments are a priority this year, but Iraq is also looking to settle longstanding disputes with the Kurdistan region and Turkey.

Feb 5, 2021

Q&A: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ali Allawi

Iraq's top economic and energy leader discusses OPEC policy, forward oil sales, gas projects, economic reforms, and more.

Feb 3, 2021

Oil price rebound and new crude grade boosts Iraq exports

Federal Iraq's oil revenues hit a 10-month high in January, while the Kurdistan region's sales dipped slightly.

Jan 14, 2021

UPDATE: Iraq production rises in December, capping an OPEC-constrained year

After a record-setting 2019, annual oil output fell by about 760,000 bpd as Iraq made extraordinary cuts to help support global prices.