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 19, 2024

Q&A: Ali Shaddad al-Faris, member of the Parliament Oil and Gas Committee

The influential MP from Basra discusses oil disputes with Kurdistan, legislative priorities, and new energy projects in southern Iraq.

Apr 16, 2024

March production continues upward trend

Under quota pressure from OPEC-plus, some Iraqi oil officials argue Kurdistan's production shouldn't count toward national total.

Apr 15, 2024

Momentum for Fao refinery project

Chinese consortium is expected in Baghdad for a signing ceremony this month to finalize a deal for a 300,000 bpd refinery complex.

Apr 11, 2024

Q&A: Hamza Abdul-Baqi, director general of the South Gas Company

Southern Iraq's top gas official gives detailed updates on associated gas capture projects that promise to boost electricity feedstock and reducing flaring.

Apr 10, 2024

Gas capture projects advance as Iraq aims to end flaring

Projects coming online this year could eliminate roughly 40 percent of Iraq’s associated gas flaring — a boost for the country’s economy, power sector, and climate goals.

Apr 4, 2024

Iraq crude exports steady in March

Oil sales were undiminished in March despite the Oil Ministry recommitting to supplemental OPEC-plus cuts that now extend through June.

Apr 1, 2024

Pipeline repairs raise prospect of alternate Turkey export route

The Iraqi side of the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline is being rehabilitated, potentially transforming the political dynamics around oil exports via Turkey.

Mar 27, 2024

Production jumps in February despite quota expectations

Iraq's countrywide oil output increased by 100,000 bpd, with incremental gains from nine fields across both federal Iraq and Kurdistan.

Mar 26, 2024

Q&A: Ibrahim Abdel Zahra, FCC project manager

The deputy director general of the South Refineries Company discusses the installation of a Fluid Catalytic Cracking unit at the country's largest refinery.

Mar 22, 2024

Iraq activates new deal to pay Iran for gas

Swap of Iraqi refined products for Iranian gas could help settle an $11 billion debt but also risks friction with U.S. over sanctions.