Iraq races to finalize oil deals ahead of elections

Sudani administration activates a major contract with BP and strikes preliminary agreements with ExxonMobil and Chevron as national elections near and deal-making window starts to shut.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (standing, center), BP CEO Murray Auchincloss (standing, left), and Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghan (standing, right) oversee the signing of a deal for BP to rehabilitate Kirkuk oil fields and build gas processing and power generation infrastructure at a ceremony in Baghdad on March 26, 2025. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Energy

Iraqi exports trending up as Ceyhan loadings resume

Southern exports increased in September, and Iraq's nationwide oil sales are expected to climb further as the pipeline to Turkey reopens.

Politics

Analysis: Iraqi elections approach, with high stakes for energy sector

Political insiders weigh in on potential election outcomes and their implications for the country’s investment climate.

Security

Deadly political divisions raise risks for Kurdistan

Rivalries between political leaders in Sulaimaniya have exploded into violence and undermined relations between Iraqi Kurdistan’s two ruling parties at a key political moment.

Interviews

Q&A: Bassim Mohammed Khudair, deputy oil minister for upstream

The deputy minister provides details on the new agreements to unlock northern exports, and an update on talks with ExxonMobil.