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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.

Q&A: Shell’s Iraq VP Hans Nijkamp

The head of Shell's Iraq operations discusses the criticism of its multi-billion-dollar gas deal, the status of its oil field development, and its long-term strategy.

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: Electricity Minister Majid Mahdi Hantoush

Iraq is racing to improve electricity service in time for summer — and reduce dependence on Iranian energy imports — with new cross-border tie lines, more generation capacity, and initiatives to rein in demand.

Q&A: Crescent Petroleum CEO Majid Jafar

A key leader in the development of the Khor Mor gas field, Majid Jafar discusses the project that has fueled Kurdistan's economic boom and become Exhibit A in the argument for reforming Iraqi gas policy.

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.

Janabi presses oil sector overhaul

Parliament's top oil policymaker outlined his vision for the oil sector, advocating for legislation that would check the Cabinet's power.

Oil in Parliament’s scope

Iraq’s oil minister is in the midst of a two-day session explaining oil matters to fired-up MPs. Meanwhile, the Nassiriya project is delayed until after bidding round.

UPDATE: Kurdish oil demands to Maliki revealed

According to previously undisclosed communiqué, Kurdish leaders want specific oil and revenue laws passed in 2011 and say KRG should decide constitutionality of its oil deals.

Q&A: Barham Salih

Shortly after signing watershed deals with ExxonMobil, the KRG's prime minister discusses the resource curse, the U.S. withdrawal, and the future of Kurdistan's oil sector.

Q&A: Oil Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi

Iraq's top oil man talks about renegotiating oil contracts, addressing long-standing disputes with Kurdistan, and building infrastructure and boosting exports.

Mitsubishi added to Shell-Iraq gas deal

Plus: *Iraq sweetens deal to oil majors in Istanbul meetings *South Oil Co. offers oil companies 40 wells to drill *Walid Khadduri on oil and elections *Iran-Iraq meetings pledge oil, other economic trade boost *KRG changes legislative body name, says Qandil Mountains contained *Baghdad museum to reopen *Fallujah still in ruins *Joost Hiltermann: lessons of […]

Security woes dash Iraq gas plans

The rise of the IS group has taken the Akkas and Mansuriya projects offline indefinitely, stalling development at the foundation of Iraq's gas strategy.

Early questions for potential powerhouse

Long way to go from draft bill to Iraq National Oil Company law gives room for concerns to be addressed by political and technical debate.