Energy

Iraq begins nationwide production shutdowns

With exports halted by war, Iraq has limited options to keep fields operating and has begun taking millions of barrels of daily production offline.

Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghani (center) meets with his deputies to plan for production cuts in anticipation of a shutdown in southern oil exports on March 2, 2026. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

Mar 15, 2026

Northern exports stalled by Baghdad-Erbil disputes

With southern oil exports choked off by war, Baghdad cannot use its only backup pipeline route because of a fight with the KRG over customs revenue control.

Mar 12, 2026

Basra tanker attack marks deepening crisis for Iraq oil sector

Iraq is facing a widening array of security threats and economic consequences from the Iran war.

Mar 8, 2026

Oil companies evacuate as Burjisiya drone attack highlights rising threat

Strike on a key oil logistics hub in Basra signals danger for southern Iraq's oil sector as Iran and its proxies target U.S. companies.

Mar 6, 2026

Oil field attack signals dire war risks for Kurdistan energy sector

Drone strikes on Sarsang raise new doubts for IOCs about the viability of restarting wartime oil production as the KRG demands security guarantees from Baghdad.

Mar 2, 2026

Damascus moves to centralize control over Syrian oil sector

Kurdish-led authorities in northeast Syria are losing their hold on the country’s largest oil fields as foreign investors look for opportunities.

Mar 1, 2026

Iraqi oil shutdowns loom as U.S. attacks Iran

Some production is already offline and Iraqi oil officials are bracing for a total loss of southern exports.

Feb 25, 2026

Nationwide refining capacity surges as Baiji ramps up

Iraq can now process over 1.5 million bpd of crude, as the country's largest refinery completes a decade-long comeback.

Feb 20, 2026

Q&A: Muntaser Kadhim Haloub, deputy director general of the South Refineries Company

Southern Iraq's refining sector is expanding, creating a better supply of high-quality fuels and rising demand for crude feedstock.

Feb 18, 2026

January oil production inches higher despite Rumaila dip

Nationwide crude production increased by just over 50,000 bpd as state-operated Basra fields ramped up to compensate for a temporary decline at Rumaila.

Feb 12, 2026

Q&A: Farhan al-Fartousi, director general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq

Iraq is making progress toward a goal of starting LNG imports in time for summertime spikes in electricity demand.

Feb 10, 2026

Iraq oil exports flat in January

Export volumes held steady in January while revenues appeared to increase slightly on higher global crude prices.