Energy

Iran reversal on Strait of Hormuz threatens Iraq’s nascent export restart

Iranian forces blocked a tanker carrying Iraqi crude, dampening hopes for a durable resumption of Iraq's southern exports.

The Agios Fanourios I tanker prepares to dock at a single point mooring buoy in the Basra Gulf in April 2026 for the first loading of crude from Iraq's southern export outlets in more than a month. (Photo credit: Ministry of Transportation)

Apr 19, 2026

Q&A: Bassim Mohammed Khudair, Deputy Oil Minister for Upstream

Iraq's top upstream oil official confirms that production, curtailed by war, is ready to surge back online — but only once ships can reliably resume Basra Gulf export loadings.

Apr 17, 2026

Iraq’s southern exports begin gradual restart

The first tanker loading from a Basra Gulf export outlet in over a month signals tentative progress toward reviving southern oil sales and production.

Apr 16, 2026

Nahr Bin Omar joins BGC’s portfolio of gas suppliers

A fast-track pipeline project will send associated gas from Nahr Bin Omar field to Basra Gas Company's newly expanded BNGL complex.

Apr 16, 2026

Wartime oilfield curtailments persist as Iraq pushes to revive southern exports

Basra export outlets are about to receive their first tanker in over a month, but production cuts remain in place for now.

Apr 5, 2026

Drone strikes signal escalating threat to Iraqi oil sector

A barrage of attacks hit five oil sites in southern Iraq on a single day.

Apr 2, 2026

Q&A: Ali Shaddad al-Faris, MP from Basra

The Basrawi MP, a mainstay on the Parliament Oil Committee, discusses Iraq's emergency efforts to activate secondary export routes and the impact of the Iran war on Iraq's oil sector.

Apr 2, 2026

Iran war spreads to Iraq as parallel conflict escalates

War has laid bare the weakness of the Iraqi state, highlighting risks for the country's investment climate that are likely to last beyond the fighting in Iran.

Mar 24, 2026

Iraqi wartime production cuts reach 3.6 million bpd

Iraq is navigating acute logistical and infrastructure challenges to maximize refinery consumption and exports while the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Mar 20, 2026

Northern pipeline restart offers limited relief

A political breakthrough unlocks Iraq's only secondary pipeline export outlet, but volumes are capped by infrastructure constraints and security threats.

Mar 15, 2026

Northern exports stalled by Baghdad-Erbil disputes

With southern oil exports choked off by war, Baghdad cannot use its only backup pipeline route because of a fight with the KRG over customs revenue control.

Mar 12, 2026

Basra tanker attack marks deepening crisis for Iraq oil sector

Iraq is facing a widening array of security threats and economic consequences from the Iran war.