Energy

Iran reversal on Strait of Hormuz threatens Iraq’s nascent export restart

Iranian forces blocked a tanker carrying Iraqi crude, dampening hopes for a durable resumption of Iraq's southern exports.

The Agios Fanourios I tanker prepares to dock at a single point mooring buoy in the Basra Gulf in April 2026 for the first loading of crude from Iraq's southern export outlets in more than a month. (Photo credit: Ministry of Transportation)

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.

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.