Politics

Haloob al-Hamdani of the al-Muhitat village, holding his daughter, is among the thousands of Basrawi farmers being told to leave their land because it sits above the province's oil reserves. (STAFF/Iraq Oil Report)

Expanding oilfields versus ancient farmlands

In a zero-sum game of real estate, Basra farmers are losing their ancestral lands and livelihoods to Iraq’s oil boom.

Kurds’ EU gas deal irks Baghdad on eve of U.S. transition

KRG’s new gas deal with Europe fuels conflict with central government over oil sector control and exposes gap in American understanding of key Iraqi issue.

Picture taken on December 12, 2009 shows the digging of a new well at the Halfaya oil field near the southern city of Amara in Iraq's southern Missan province. (KARIM JAMIL/AFP/Getty Images)

Farmer’s lawsuit demands compensation for oil land

Farmer claims that state oil company took over his land in Missan province and owes him millions in lost income.

A large oil spillage in southern Iraq during the American-led invasion of the country, March 2003. (TOM STODDART/Getty Images)

As Iraq loosens the taps, slow planning for a spill

With oil production set to boom, Iraq is facing an increasing risk of oil-related disaster, and environmental officials say the country isn’t ready to handle a major spill.

Interviews

Interview: the future of Iraqi natural gas

Energy expert Luay Jawadal-Khatteeb calls Shell’s associated gas deal “unethical,” explains why Iraq needs a gas master plan that will meet domestic needs first.
Zalmay Khalilzad’s take on Iraq – Part 2

Former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq addresses the criticism he’s received for attempting to enter Iraq’s oil sector.
Zalmay Khalilzad’s take on Iraq – Part 1

The former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq runs a consulting firm focused on Iraq investments and has just been named to Norwegian oil firm DNO, whose Kurdish projects have stoked controversy. He talks to Iraq Oil Report.