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)

May 23, 2019

Deals in limbo as Oil Ministry fights political headwinds

As populist MPs raise unsubstantiated corruption allegations around oil projects, decision makers are moving cautiously on major initiatives while they beat back political opportunists.

May 21, 2019

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: May 21, 2019

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

May 18, 2019

U.S. warnings spur Exxon evacuation of expats

Production is unaffected and the security situation appears calm as ExxonMobil evacuates dozens of foreign staff from the West Qurna 1 field, following U.S. claims of threats from Iran.

May 16, 2019

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: May 14, 2019

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

May 16, 2019

Iraqi oil industry calm amidst U.S. warnings on Iran

As the U.S. evacuates diplomatic personnel, citing threats from Iran, Iraq's oil sector and its IOC partners maintain status quo.

May 8, 2019

Cabinet endorses SIIP negotiations with Exxon

The Cabinet threw political weight behind the Southern Iraq Integrated Project, injecting momentum into negotiations over a massive infrastructure deal that is critical to Iraq's production and export growth.

May 8, 2019

Baghdad, KRG leaders reaffirm legal disputes over oil

Political leaders on both sides indicate their court battle is still on, but the proceedings are delayed, pending a revised pleading from the prime minister.

May 7, 2019

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: May 7, 2019

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

Apr 30, 2019

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Apr. 29, 2019

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

Apr 24, 2019

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Apr. 23, 2019

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.