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The Politics of Iraqi Oil

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Iraq fights for transparency bid

Overcoming resistance from companies favoring secrecy, Iraq has published the first report on its road to international transparency certification.

Iraq and the Oil Overshadowed

As the U.S. and world media play with President’s Bush and Ahmadinejad, there is a slowdown of Iraq energy related information. However, Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani is none too pleased with the KRG. Also in today’s Iraq Oil Report, Iraq offers Jordan more discounts to the oil. Plus, at the end, I’ll supply some details […]

Q&A: Falah Alamri, Director General of SOMO

Days before a major meeting among the world's largest oil producers, Iraq's export chief discusses depressed Kirkuk prices and a big plan for marketing Basra crude.

As Kurdistan oil booms, deal-making accelerates

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.

Iraq’s Oil Politics: Where Agreement Might Be Found

In Iraq, oil contracting and revenue sharing are not simply technical or commercial matters but rather proxies for differing conceptions among Iraq’s communities of the country and their place within it.

Iraq oil contract disputed in new report commissioned by Parliament energy committee

Plus: *Read the entire draft Technical Service Contract *Oil Ministry gives more info on oil fields to companies *Russia's Lukoil, Italy's Edison express interest in fields on Istanbul sidelines *Missan Oil Co. preps for new well drilling *Technip awarded new Karbala refinery *Oil to Jordan slowed by technicalities *Violence rocks powder keg Mosul, Shiite pilgrimage […]

KRG prepares to link pipeline to politics

A new Kurdistan export pipeline is being readied to tie into the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline within Iraqi territory but after the federal Oil Ministry's final metering station.

The Baiji refinery and the surge

In an excerpt from his new book, “Iraq and the Politics of Oil,” former U.S. oil official Gary Vogler narrates the high-stakes struggles over Iraq’s largest refinery.

Baghdad regains control in oil disputes

Maliki’s government is using harsh tactics to reassert itself against Kurdistan’s increasingly autonomous oil policy, while the core disputes remain unresolved.

Q&A: Falah Alamri, director general of SOMO

Iraq's top oil salesman discusses the future of Basra Heavy, the choices necessary to implement the OPEC quota deal, and making more money on Kirkuk oil sales.

Iraqi oil politics

Disputes over how oil sector should be managed, controlled will culminate in Parliament questioning of oil minister.