Energy

Iran reversal on Strait of Hormuz threatens Iraq’s nascent export restart

Iranian forces blocked a tanker carrying Iraqi crude, dampening hopes for a durable resumption of Iraq's southern exports.

The Agios Fanourios I tanker prepares to dock at a single point mooring buoy in the Basra Gulf in April 2026 for the first loading of crude from Iraq's southern export outlets in more than a month. (Photo credit: Ministry of Transportation)

May 21, 2025

New KRG gas deals draw condemnation from Baghdad

U.S. firms HKN and WesternZagros have signed agreements for upstream gas development at the Miran and Topkhana fields.

May 14, 2025

April production drops as Iraq trims from Basra

Oil Ministry cuts output at Majnoon and other state-run southern fields in effort to meet OPEC-plus expectations.

May 9, 2025

Q&A: Hassan Mohammed Hassan, director general of the Iraqi Drilling Company

The new leader of Iraq’s state-run well drilling firm discusses plans to expand its rig fleet and increase revenues.

May 6, 2025

Iraq oil exports decrease in April

The Oil Ministry has issued major upward revisions of its February and March export figures, while preliminary data show a dip in April.

May 1, 2025

BP deal aims to revamp Kirkuk energy sector

Iraq is once again leveraging upstream development to finance gas and power projects.

Apr 29, 2025

March production rises on Rumaila recovery

Iraq’s biggest oil field has recovered from a January fire, boosting nationwide output but posing a challenge to OPEC-plus quota compliance.

Apr 23, 2025

Iraq terminates Akkas contract, drawing legal threats

Cabinet taps state-run Midland Oil Company as operator for fast-track gas field development with help from SLB, but contentious ouster of Ukrzemresurs could spark litigation.

Apr 17, 2025

Strategic water project makes progress, helped by Chinese financing

A China-Iraq finance program is set to provide billions of dollars for a seawater supply project that promises to enable a transformational increase in Iraq's oil production.

Apr 15, 2025

Q&A: Adnan al-Jaberi, deputy chairman of the Parliament Oil and Gas Committee

The Basra MP talks about the prospects for and obstacles to energy sector development in southern Iraq, Kirkuk, and Kurdistan.

Apr 7, 2025

Iraqi crude exports fall in March

Export volumes declined in March, but Iraq also revised its official February figure sharply upward as OPEC-plus shifts is quota strategy.