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)

Jul 18, 2018

Oil sector weathers storm of protests

Widespread civil unrest has begun to subside, at least temporarily - leaving key oil sites disrupted but intact.

Jul 13, 2018

Government offers oil job promises to settle protesters

Demonstrators turned violent on fifth straight day of protests in an attempt to enter Basra oil fields, though were repelled by security forces.

Jul 11, 2018

Four killed protecting pipeline warehouse outside Kirkuk

Unknown assailants alleged to be the self-proclaimed Islamic State killed workers at a pipeline warehouse in Dibis, northwest of Kirkuk.

Jul 11, 2018

Low-level smuggling is high stakes for local officials

Iraqi authorities have discovered several small-scale smuggling rackets in and around Basra over the past year.

Jul 9, 2018

Protester killed in services protest outside Basra oil field

Iraqi security forces shot protesters in an escalation of chronic frustration with a lack of jobs and services, including salty water that shut down the Basra refinery.

Jul 2, 2018

Iraqi oil exports steady in June though federal revenues fall

Federal oil exports increased, but the oil price pushed down earnings, and Kurdistan tanker loadings slowed due to outages.

Jun 28, 2018

Supreme Court delays crucial oil rights ruling

Kurdistan scolded for late response to court, as both it and federal government instructed to present additional legal arguments.

Jun 22, 2018

Bai Hassan is back online as Iraqi production grows

Kirkuk production has increased, but the Oil Ministry's efforts to find new routes to market for stranded capacity are incomplete.

Jun 21, 2018

Subba field risks shut-down

After just six months in production, the Subba field is faltering due to bureaucratic dysfunction, tight budgets, and insufficient processing infrastructure.

Jun 20, 2018

Oil Ministry order sets INOC in motion

A 12-person committee will study best international best practices and develop recommendations for implementing a new law to re-create the Iraq National Oil Company.