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)

Feb 3, 2010

Election ban “lifted” for 500 barred candidates

Appeal court recommends to electoral commission that more than 500 candidates be allowed to stand in March 7 elections. Candidates' jubilation is tempered by others' suspicion of American interference.

Feb 1, 2010

Hearing postpones challenge to Rumaila deal

Lawsuit challenging fundamentals of international oil deals is accepted by judge, and a hearing scheduled for next month.

Jan 19, 2010

KRG sets guidelines for turning oil taps back on

Iraqi Kurdistan oil minister says Baghdad must pay foreign oil firms invested in northern fields before exports will restart.

Jan 15, 2010

As election nears, oil becomes an ally

Shahristani, in press conference at communications college, says elections will determine his future as Oil Minister, and talks Fakka, KRG contracts, and corruption.

Jan 14, 2010

Details emerge from the court battle for Rumaila

Iraq Oil Report sheds light on the federal court challenge to BP's contract for Rumaila with the documents filed by the Oil Ministry and MP Musawi in recent hearings.

Jan 6, 2010

BREAKING: Four Iraqi oil director generals retired

Iraq Oil Report has learned that at least four of Iraq's oil technocrat elite have been retired, though it appears to be based purely on age, not controversy as originally believed.

Jan 4, 2010

UPDATE: North Oil Co. leader replacement by deputy draws criticism

Workers say the popular Manna al-Obeidi should be replaced by someone born in Kirkuk, though the ministry claims his deputy is the right man for the job. Both are beyond the mandatory retirement age.

Jan 4, 2010

Civil society’s discontent with Iraq’s oil transparency efforts

Iraqi NGOs will have to be an active member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative for it to be successful, but worry they won't get a meaningul seat at the table.

Dec 17, 2009

In the theatre of oil, the politics of Iraq

The grand oil auction Dec. 11 and 12 required a breakout performance for Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani in time for the national elections.

Dec 15, 2009

New Iraqi oil deals challenged in court

Dec. 22 hearing the first legal challenge to oil contracts concluded this year with foreign oil companies, including seven awarded Friday and Saturday.