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)

Aug 23, 2016

Oil minister calls on IOCs to raise production

One week into his tenure, Jabbar Allibi has scrapped an austerity policy and notified oil companies they should draw up plans for increased crude production and gas capture.

Aug 22, 2016

Q&A: Oil Minister Jabbar Allibi

The newly confirmed minister is seeking a "quiet" environment for improving relationships with both international oil companies and the Kurdistan government.

Aug 18, 2016

UPDATE: Baghdad resumes exports into KRG pipeline

About 70,000 bpd is now flowing from NOC-controlled fields into the KRG export pipeline, after oil disputes caused a five-month shutoff.

Aug 18, 2016

Worker strike briefly disrupts Taq Taq field

Workers protested against proposed cuts to staff and salaries with a two-day walkout, temporarily reducing crude supply to a local refinery.

Aug 16, 2016

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Aug. 16, 2016

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

Aug 15, 2016

Former South Oil chief becomes oil minister

Jabbar Allibi was among the five new ministers approved by Parliament and sworn in on Monday.

Aug 9, 2016

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Aug. 9, 2016

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

Aug 3, 2016

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Aug. 3, 2016

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

Jul 28, 2016

Trucker strike risks output at Kurdistan’s Shaikan field

Tanker drivers stopped working over months of payment delays, endangering Gulf Keystone's 40,000 bpd of exports.

Jul 27, 2016

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: July 26, 2016

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