According to a State Dept. cable from Iraq, and despite the U.S. Embassy's warnings, the oil company of a George W. Bush intelligence adviser signed a Kurdish oil deal knowing the field was in disputed territory.
Leaked U.S. Embassy cables and candid interviews reveal the story behind Shell's quest to export Iraqi natural gas.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The issue of production-sharing contracts (PSCs, also called production-sharing agreements, or PSAs) in Iraq is a contentious one. Encouraged initially by American advisers as the best means for investment in post-war Iraq by, the system, which allows oil companies to take a share of the profits of all oil extracted, can mean that […]
The influential MP from Basra discusses oil disputes with Kurdistan, legislative priorities, and new energy projects in southern Iraq.
Shell south gas deal under pressure as political maneuvering increases in Iraq.
The co-leader of Kurdistan's second-largest party discusses politicized oil policies, factionalized leadership, security risks, and Iraq's national budget.
The longest-serving American in Iraq's oil sector gives an insider's account of tactical victories, strategic blunders, and hidden agendas in post-2003 reconstruction.
Iraq inked a draft deal to form a company with Shell and Mitsubishi to capture, process and export gas that is currently flared in Basra fields.
Erbil has entered an exuberant season of mergers and acquisitions, as super-majors rush in and smaller companies feel the pressure – from shareholders and the KRG – to cash out.
Secret documents illuminate the agreement that re-started Kurdistan's exports and the reasons for its collapse.
After their independent oil deal raised objections from the Iraqi Oil Ministry, Salahaddin leaders now deny the validity of the contract and Sonoro has cut ties with its advisors.
Iraq wants to take a 40 percent stake in the $27 billion deal, but finalizing terms could prove difficult before a new government takes shape.
Iraq’s oil chief discusses negotiations with Total and Chevron, arbitration with Exxon, the future of INOC, several gas project updates, and budget talks with the Kurdistan region.
Inspired by Kurdistan's independent oil sector, Wasit and Salahaddin provinces have signed politically risky exploration deals with small international companies.
A "letter of intent" from Iraq outlines a new oil for revenue deal with the KRG and commits to paying oil companies and spending on the Basra Gas Company.
"Goodwill gesture" keeps the door open to further negotiations ahead of a Feb. 15 deadline, but key points of contention still appear unresolved.
To facilitate its energy deal with Kurdistan, Turkey could send revenue from Iraq's northern oil exports to an escrow account, guaranteeing money for the KRG – and stirring conflict with Baghdad.
After years of negotiations, Shell inks a 25-year gas company joint venture with Iraq, making it the largest investor in the country's oil sector.
Iraq's Oil Police have seized the momentum in the country’s battle against outlaw smugglers, and Iraq Oil Report is along for the ride. With production set to skyrocket, their challenge has just begun.
When the Oil Ministry gave orders to dismantle a key pipeline, the Kurds took over the NOC's fields, and post-2003 relations between Baghdad and Erbil have never been worse.
The head of the Parliament Finance Committee talks about priorities for cutting costs while being able to pay for defense, refugees and IOCs.
After negotiations nearly fell apart two weeks ago, the French firm gave until Feb. 15 to finalize a deal — a deadline now extended by one month.
Despite major unresolved political disputes, exports hit record levels from Iraqi Kurdistan, which is looking to expand production further as companies begin collecting the payout from Baghdad.
Kurdistan's oil trading arrangements have provided independent revenue streams, but they also present problems, including rising debts and further political controversy.
