Energy

New SOMO director named as Iraq reshuffles oil sector leadership

Ali Nazar al-Shatari will be Iraq's new head of oil marketing as the Sudani government makes changes across several top oil posts.

SOMO Deputy Director General and Head of Crude Ali Nazar al-Shatari (right), at the Nov. 30, 2016, OPEC meeting in Vienna with then-Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar Ali al-Luiebi (center), and then-SOMO Director General Falah Alamri (left). (Source: OPEC Media Office)

Apr 2, 2019

Basra export outages dent March oil sales

With production already constrained by OPEC cuts, Iraq's exports dipped even further as three days of bad weather disrupted Basra Gulf tanker loadings.

Mar 29, 2019

Q&A: Ramesh Valluri, Sonangol’s General Manager for Iraq

Despite security constraints and bureaucratic frustrations, the Angolan firm is bullish on production gains at the Qayarah oil field and is pursuing a nearby refinery project.

Mar 27, 2019

February production falls as OPEC cuts begin to bite

With reduced output at state-run fields, Iraq moves toward compliance with a quota designed to lift global prices.

Mar 20, 2019

UPDATE: Flooding threatens Majnoon field

Iraq risks losing over 100,000 bpd of production as flood waters overcome failing infrastructure.

Mar 19, 2019

U.S. grants Iraq another Iran sanctions waiver

Another 90-day waiver allows for critical power purchases as Iraq tries to balance relations between rival powers.

Mar 19, 2019

Q&A: Haider al-Abadi, former prime minister of Iraq

Five months after leaving office, Abadi reflects on Iraq's political landscape and his successor's handling of energy sector priorities.

Mar 4, 2019

Federal and KRG exports hold steady in February

A slight decline in crude loadings is offset by a $4 per barrel increase in price, as Iraq's output stays near record levels.

Mar 1, 2019

Q&A: Nazm Dabakh, KRG representative to Iran

After Kurdistan abruptly stopped oil exports to Iran - and then quickly resumed them - the KRG's emissary to Tehran discusses bilateral relations in the age of renewed U.S. sanctions.

Feb 26, 2019

Iran fuel exports restart after KRG relaxes ban

One week after the Kurdistan region stopped all crude and fuel traffic to Iran, the order has been revised and exports have resumed.

Feb 25, 2019

New Bashiqa drilling touches a political nerve

DNO has begun a drilling campaign in the heart of Iraq's disputed territories, after the Norwegian company took over as operator from ExxonMobil.