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)

Jan 13, 2024

Q&A: Farhan Muhssin al-Fartousi, head of the General Company for Ports of Iraq

Recent progress in the long-delayed Grand Fao Port project is raising Iraq's hopes of becoming a major international commerce hub.

Jan 11, 2024

Iraqi exports finish down year with a December surge

Nationwide oil sales dropped in 2023 due to the northern pipeline outage, but federal exports hit a four-year high in December.

Jan 9, 2024

PetroChina takes over as West Qurna 1 operator

Iraq's second-largest oil field has a new operator as ExxonMobil moves forward with an agreement to exit the project.

Dec 15, 2023

Q&A: Marfaa Kadhim al-Asadi, deputy director of Basra Gas Company

Iraq's marquee initiative to reduce gas flaring is expanding, though uncertainties remain around gas supply.

Dec 7, 2023

Oil exports and revenues slump in November

Export volumes are expected to slide further as Iraq makes new OPEC-plus commitment to support prices with reduced output.

Dec 1, 2023

Q&A: Salman Hadar Salman, Deputy Director General of the South Refineries Company

The expansion of Iraq's largest refinery promises to reduce the country’s fuel imports and enable jet fuel exports.

Nov 29, 2023

Iraq explores carbon credits to reduce gas flaring

A pilot project at the East Baghdad oil field cluster aims to use carbon credits to finance infrastructure to capture gas and reduce Iraq's carbon footprint.

Nov 28, 2023

New leader for Midland Oil Company

Mohammed Yassin Hassan al-Obaidi has been appointed acting director general in a leadership reshuffle at Iraq's smallest state-run oil company.

Nov 17, 2023

Iraq approves sale of Inpex stake in Eridu oil field discovery

Japanese firm is set to sell its minority share in the Lukoil-operated project as the start of commercial production approaches.

Nov 14, 2023

Baghdad-Erbil oil diplomacy raises hopes for pipeline progress

High-level meetings involving Baghdad and Erbil leaders and oil company representatives aim for deals needed to restart northern pipeline exports.