Iraq is expanding existing refineries, but greenfield projects in the south are not moving forward.
Plan could earn KRG revenue and save electricity, but requires elusive public buy-in.
Surge in production comes as Iraq attempts to navigate the opposing pressures of a financial crisis and quota commitments to OPEC-plus.
Under pressure from the OPEC-plus coalition to compensate for past over-production, Iraq makes painful cuts mainly from IOC-operated fields.
Emergency measures include $35 billion in new borrowing, a total overhaul of the economy, and the potential devaluation of the Iraqi dinar.
Repairs of gas pipeline explosion 10 days ago identified additional problems, causing delays to electricity feedstocks.
The Sept. 30 rocket attack near the Erbil airport highlights the reach of rogue militant groups and the risks they pose to the investment climate in both federal Iraq and Kurdistan.
Iraqi oil sales are still near six-year lows, and revenue has dipped along with global oil prices.
Oil Ministry effort to scale down payment obligations could cause conflict with IOCs and discourage new energy investment.
New leadership for Iraq's largest state-run oil company, as well as the Iraqi Drilling Company and the Oil Ministry's Technical Directorate.
