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)

Mar 1, 2018

Kirkuk oil still hostage to political stalemates

Kurdistan's export pipeline to Turkey is the key to unlocking stranded Kirkuk production, but Baghdad, Erbil, and Ankara cannot agree on terms.

Feb 27, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Feb. 27, 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.

Feb 21, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Feb. 21, 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.

Feb 15, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Feb. 15, 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.

Feb 12, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Feb. 6, 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.

Feb 12, 2018

Reconstruction hopes hinge on Kuwait conference

The 2018 draft budget allocates a tiny fraction of the funding needed to rebuild from the IS war; for the rest, Iraq is seeking international donations and investment.

Jan 30, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Jan. 30, 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.

Jan 18, 2018

Iraq pushes electricity reform, prompting protests

New efforts to charge consumers for power could reduce consumption, increase state revenues, and alleviate budget pressures – but they are proving a very hard sell.

Jan 16, 2018

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Jan. 16, 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.

Jan 10, 2018

Oil Ministry rebuffs Parliament order against KAR

Despite a non-binding Parliament vote, the ministry indicated it will take a practical approach to continue working with the Iraqi Kurdish company enmeshed in northern Iraq's oil sector.