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)

Jul 9, 2018

Protester killed in services protest outside Basra oil field

Iraqi security forces shot protesters in an escalation of chronic frustration with a lack of jobs and services, including salty water that shut down the Basra refinery.

Jul 5, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: July 3, 2018

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

Jun 28, 2018

Supreme Court delays crucial oil rights ruling

Kurdistan scolded for late response to court, as both it and federal government instructed to present additional legal arguments.

Jun 26, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: June 26, 2018

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

Jun 22, 2018

Supreme Court supports recount, raises new questions

Iraq's highest court largely backed a Parliament law requiring a manual recount of the May 12 elections, but political leaders disagree about how to interpret the ruling.

Jun 22, 2018

Bai Hassan is back online as Iraqi production grows

Kirkuk production has increased, but the Oil Ministry's efforts to find new routes to market for stranded capacity are incomplete.

Jun 22, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: June 20, 2018

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

Jun 21, 2018

Subba field risks shut-down

After just six months in production, the Subba field is faltering due to bureaucratic dysfunction, tight budgets, and insufficient processing infrastructure.

Jun 20, 2018

Oil Ministry order sets INOC in motion

A 12-person committee will study best international best practices and develop recommendations for implementing a new law to re-create the Iraq National Oil Company.

Jun 12, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: June 12, 2018

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