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Production-sharing contracts: a dying breed?

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 […]

Hunt Oil knew KRG oil deal in disputed territory

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.

Q&A: Gary Vogler

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.

The four-year plan

The Iraqi Oil Ministry's four-year plan, unveiled but not reproduced in February, available here only to Iraq Oil Report subscribers.

Iraq inches toward oil transparency

Seeking to combat the "resource curse," Iraq is moving forward – and hitting roadblocks – on its slow path toward oil sector transparency.

No country for oil smugglers

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.

New details of KRG oil deals reveal latent risks

Kurdistan's oil trading arrangements have provided independent revenue streams, but they also present problems, including rising debts and further political controversy.

The Politics of Iraqi Oil

Oil prices sink, production slows, the economy recedes and Iraqi politics: the perfect storm for Iraq’s oil sector.

Oil laws not likely before January election

Parliament likely to approve income tax on foreign oil firms, long-awaited package of oil-related laws will be up to the next government due to elections and politics-as-usual.

A different Iraq oil law approved

Council of Ministers end-around feuding factions – for now – and move to restart the national oil company with support of key political blocks.

Pressure mounts on Kurdistan’s oil minister

Polarized by the dispute over President Barzani's tenure, rivals factions in Kurdistan are targeting Ashti Hawrami with political attacks and a legal investigation.

In the theatre of oil, the politics of Iraq

The grand oil auction Dec. 11 and 12 required a breakout performance for Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani in time for the national elections.

Oil experts debate a new state oil company

Two ex-oil ministers favor it, the current oil minister opposes it, but a hearing this week over a new Iraqi National Oil Company indicates Parliament may be serious about legislating.

Kurdish oil boom begins

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.