Energy

Iraq races to finalize oil deals ahead of elections

Sudani administration activates a major contract with BP and strikes preliminary agreements with ExxonMobil and Chevron as national elections near and deal-making window starts to shut.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (standing, center), BP CEO Murray Auchincloss (standing, left), and Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghan (standing, right) oversee the signing of a deal for BP to rehabilitate Kirkuk oil fields and build gas processing and power generation infrastructure at a ceremony in Baghdad on March 26, 2025. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Jul 21, 2020

Gharraf field restarts after four months as Petronas team returns

The field will initially target 50,000 bpd – about half the production level it averaged before shutting down amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Jul 17, 2020

Iraq draws electricity from oil projects to help failing power grid

The government is seeking stopgap solutions to major blackouts that have sparked protests in southern Iraq.

Jul 17, 2020

New prime minister gives a first look at oil policy

In a meeting with senior Oil Ministry officials, Mustafa Kadhimi communicated his administration's energy sector priorities.

Jul 14, 2020

Production falls further as Iraq pursues OPEC compliance

While the country's output is still over its quota, Iraq has now cut more than 600,000 bpd compared to its first-quarter production average.

Jul 8, 2020

Protest disrupts Halfaya operations and local power supply

Financial constraints and OPEC cuts led to oil sector layoffs and protests that briefly shut down access to Missan province's largest field.

Jul 2, 2020

Iraq exports plunge toward OPEC compliance

Countrywide oil sales dropped by 11 percent, but higher oil prices – buoyed by an OPEC-plus quota agreement – yielded monthly revenue gains.

Jun 15, 2020

Iraq questions fairness, but closes in on OPEC-plus target

Production cuts and falling exports move Iraq closer to OPEC-plus quota compliance.

Jun 12, 2020

Low prices and payment delays reverse two-year expansion of Kurdistan’s oil sector

The KRG's production is falling as cash flows dry up and companies pare back investment.

Jun 11, 2020

Despite big cuts, Iraq fails to meet OPEC quota

Major reductions totaling almost 200,000 bpd were not nearly enough to bring Iraq's May production in line with an OPEC-plus agreement.

Jun 4, 2020

Shell evacuation reveals cracks in Basra Gas Company consortium

Protests that prompted an emergency evacuation in May were caused by a breakdown in payments and cooperation between Shell and its government partners.