Politics

Iraq grapples with power shortages and Iran sanctions as summer looms

The expiration of a U.S. sanctions waiver on Iranian electricity imports is complicating Baghdad's balancing act between Tehran and Washington, while the government scrambles for power supply ahead of peak demand season.

Workers from the Southern Projects Commission of Iraq's State Company for Oil Projects assemble a pipeline designed to carry regassified LNG imported via the Khor al-Zubair port in Basra to power stations in February 2025. (ALI AL-AQILY/Iraq Oil Report)

Jun 8, 2010

No hope for a homeland

Many residents of southern Iraq's marshes worry that their way of life will end when new oil production begins in the coming years.

Jun 7, 2010

Iraq’s marsh dwellers denounce oil plans

The marshes of southern Iraq are the staging ground for a contentious battle between residents and oil stakeholders over the fate of the fragile and oil-rich ecosystem.

Jun 1, 2010

Anbar, central governments poised for fight over Akkas

The western province wants the prospective gas field to be fed directly to local refineries and power plants, allowing exports only of refined products. Or else.

Jun 1, 2010

Anbar’s power play

Anbar Gov. Qasim Abid talks about building whole new cities, taking on the insurgents who blew off his arm, and opposing Baghdad's plans to export natural gas from the province.

May 20, 2010

Iran envoy office says no demands for Iraqi oil

Despite statements by a prominent Iranian oil official, Tehran has not hardened its policy on border oil fields and negotiations with Iraq are continuing.

May 18, 2010

Cabinet OK’s KRG payments

Statement from government doesn't disclose numbers, but says Finance Ministry to start audit of companies to determine payments.

May 11, 2010

Allawi: oil deals should be honored but reviewed, altered

Ex-PM Allawi, leader of the top vote-getting Iraqiya list in the disputed March national elections, rails on an absence of clear policy on oil issues in sit-down with Iraq Oil Report.

May 7, 2010

Baghdad-KRG oil agreement closer but not reached

Kurdistan oil minister discounts Shahristani statement as old news, temporary agreement; says agreement to pay the contractors means nothing until finance ministry and cabinet approve plan.

May 7, 2010

Border fields to be developed as diplomacy continues

Unilateral development of oil and gas fields near or crossing international borders have been the cause of war in Iraq. Officials are signing deals with foreign firms anyway, while they continue talks with Iran and Kuwait.

May 4, 2010

Ex-MP vows to continue Rumaila challenge

Lawsuit to topple BP and CNPC's oil deal will continue, as former member of parliament sets to kick off major fundraising campaign and claims allegiance of top Maliki opponents.