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 29, 2021

Electricity crisis worsens as Iran cuts supply and minister resigns

Power blackouts throughout Iraq threaten to cause new bouts of social unrest over chronic failures to build adequate domestic gas and electricity supply.

Jun 18, 2021

Hope rises for Baghdad-Erbil budget deal, but hurdles remain

Under a new agreement, Kurdistan could start receiving 200 billion Iraqi dinars per month.

Jun 15, 2021

Q&A: Habat al-Halbusi, chair of the Parliament Oil and Energy Committee

The MP leading Parliament's oversight of Iraq's oil and electricity sectors discusses the importance of gas development and the status of INOC legislation.

Jun 4, 2021

Cabinet files legal challenge to 2021 budget

Kadhimi's government is seeking to strike down budget provisions added by Parliament, including new financial rules for state-owned oil companies and fuel import taxes.

Jun 3, 2021

Syria oil deal hangs in the balance as U.S. license lapses

Delta Crescent Energy's oil deal with the Kurdish-led opposition in northeast Syria is in jeopardy as the Biden administration reconsiders a Trump-era sanctions waiver.

May 11, 2021

Q&A: Dhi Qar Gov. Ahmed al-Khafaji

Weeks after taking office, Dhi Qar's new governor discusses aspirations for quelling oil protests, raising employment, and attracting investment.

May 1, 2021

Oil Ministry objects to Iraqi budget law, citing risks to oil sector

Iraq cannot pay oil companies on time under its 2021 budget law, the Oil Ministry said in an official letter seeking a legal intervention.

Apr 5, 2021

Production restarts at Sarqala

Days after the field was shut down because of disputes between politically connected trucking companies, the Kurdistan region has regained 30,000 bpd of production.

Apr 1, 2021

UPDATE: Iraq passes 2021 budget with record deficit and new oil deal for KRG

The new budget law lays out a revised framework for Baghdad-Erbil oil and revenue cooperation and projects a record deficit that is only likely to be filled if global oil prices remain high.

Apr 1, 2021

Sarqala field shuts down as political rivalries spill into the open

Kurdistan could be deprived of $1.5 million per day worth of oil production due to a dispute between trucking companies associated with competing factions of the PUK party.