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)

Apr 11, 2018

Iraq exports hit infrastructure ceiling

Oil slicks in the Basra Gulf reveal that Iraq's export ambitions may be putting too much pressure on outdated pipelines.

Apr 10, 2018

Kurdistan oil lawsuit moves forward

Iraq's Federal Supreme Court will finally hear a six-year-old case on the fundamental constitutional conflicts that underpin Baghdad-Erbil oil disputes.

Apr 8, 2018

Q&A: Ihsan Ismaael, Basra Oil Company director general

Basra's top oil man discusses developing Majnoon after Shell, plus myriad projects to repair and upgrade offshore export capacity.

Apr 2, 2018

Iraq exports steady in March

Basra Gulf loadings see modest increase while Kurdistan's Ceyhan sales are slightly lower.

Mar 29, 2018

IOCs scramble to analyze new contract model

The Oil Ministry has shortened the deadline for its fifth bidding round, giving companies just days to evaluate big changes to the contract model.

Mar 22, 2018

Iraq enlists service companies to manage Majnoon

As Basra Oil Company prepares to take over operatorship from Shell, it is finalizing contracts with KBR and Anton to help manage the super-giant field.

Mar 21, 2018

New deal to unlock KRG gas production

Pearl Petroleum has signed a Gas Sales Agreement that promises to boost KRG natural gas output this year and more than double it by 2020.

Mar 20, 2018

February production lifted by Rumaila and Zubair

Rising output at Iraq's two most prolific fields boosted the country's production average.

Mar 14, 2018

Q&A: SOMO Director General Alaa al-Yassiri

Iraq's oil exports chief discusses Baghdad-Ankara-KRG oil negotiations, a new oil trading joint venture, and the possibility of a third grade of Basra crude.

Mar 13, 2018

Kirkuk fields begin to re-start

NOC is taking initial steps to bring some production at Bai Hassan and Avana Dome back online, increasing crude flows to refineries in Kurdistan.