Energy

Nationwide refining capacity surges as Baiji ramps up

Iraq can now process over 1.5 million bpd of crude, as the country's largest refinery completes a decade-long comeback.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (center) visits the Baiji refinery in August 2023 to announce projects to rehabilitate and expand the facility. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

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.

Jan 12, 2021

Q&A: Hassan Mohammed Hassan, deputy Basra Oil chief in charge of licensing round fields and West Qurna 1

Basra's fields bore the brunt of the OPEC-plus production curtailments, and they are ready to surge as output quotas lift.

Jan 5, 2021

Iraq oil exports and revenue up in December, but down year-on-year

Oil exports ended 2020 on a relative high note, but the year saw federal Iraq post its lowest annual export volumes since 2014 and worst revenue total in more than a decade.

Dec 22, 2020

Facing financial crunch, Iraq boosts November production

Despite ongoing OPEC-plus efforts to limit global supply, Iraq increased oil output as the government desperately seeks revenue to narrow record deficits.

Dec 9, 2020

Khabbaz wells burn as security in northern oil sector worsens

Detonations at two wells early Wednesday are the latest example of inadequate security across northern Iraq.

Dec 9, 2020

Sarqala field stops trucking as Kurdistan protests expand

Field is not under threat. Decision by Gazprom Neft protects 100-plus daily tanker trucks exporting the crude.

Dec 1, 2020

Iraqi oil exports fall as OPEC scrutiny rises

Countrywide exports of 3.143 million bpd suggest Iraq has reduced output, with OPEC-plus members insisting on full quota compliance as they consider extending cuts.

Nov 23, 2020

UPDATE: Iraq seeks pre-payment for oil exports

A new proposal from SOMO asks crude buyers to pay up front for a year's worth of exports to secure a 5-year supply — part of Iraq's response to a cash-flow crisis.

Nov 17, 2020

Iraq sets new specifications for Basra crude marketing

SOMO is using the launch of its new Basra Medium crude grade as an occasion to revamp the specifications for its flagship Basra Light and Basra Heavy, too.

Nov 12, 2020

October production rises 4% despite OPEC-plus quota

Iraqi crude output increased by 150,000 bpd as the Oil Ministry struggles to balance between meeting OPEC obligations and addressing a severe cash shortage.