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 8, 2012

Q&A: Ashti Hawrami Part 2

The head of KRG oil policy details his interpretation of the Constitution and how it applies to his oil deals, the oil deals of Baghdad, and the delayed oil law.

May 4, 2012

Behind the Kurdistan export dispute

After the end of Kurdistan's exports, the public debate has lacked solid information about the flawed export deal and the negotiations that produced it. Iraq Oil Report publishes key documents, analysis and interviews that explain it all.

May 4, 2012

Kurdistan export agreement: the document

Iraq Oil Report has obtained a copy of the key document that led to 14 months of oil exports from the KRG, which ended April 1.

May 3, 2012

Who killed Kurdistan’s oil exports?

Secret documents illuminate the agreement that re-started Kurdistan's exports and the reasons for its collapse.

Apr 24, 2012

Parliament rebuffs Cabinet oil law

The Parliament's oil and energy committee has voted against the Cabinet's draft oil law, reviving the debate over long-delayed, crucial legislation.

Apr 5, 2012

Kurdish leaders split over export stoppage

National conference for political reconciliation delayed as a dispute over exports, payments, and oil law intensifies - and leads to Kurdish fragmentation.

Apr 4, 2012

Baghdad-Erbil oil feud: the documents

Iraq Oil Report is publishing the oil production data used by Baghdad in accusing Erbil of smuggling and shutting in oil revenues.

Apr 3, 2012

Iraq oil fight worsens with budget threat

Baghdad officials call for a cut to the KRG budget after oil shut-in and allegations of smuggling to Iran.

Apr 2, 2012

Record exports as KRG cuts oil

The KRG has stopped sending oil through Baghdad's pipelines, but Iraq's record exports in the south could offset that loss.

Mar 27, 2012

KRG demands say over Kirkuk field

Kurdistan has denounced Baghdad's potential deal for Kirkuk oil development with BP, and reiterated threats to stop exports over nonpayment.