Energy

Oil Ministry slashes upstream spending for 2026

Urgent austerity plan aims to cut $1.4 billion from oil field budgets nationwide in 2026 without affecting production — a warning sign of fiscal trouble for Iraq.

Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghani (center left) and Deputy Oil Minister for Upstream Bassim Mohammed Khdair (center right) meet with Zaid Elyaseri (far left), the president of BP Iraq, in Baghdad on Jan. 26, 2026, to discuss the company's upstream plans and project expenses. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

Nov 8, 2024

Cabinet advances proposal for northern oil export restart

Iraq's main political factions appear to have an initial agreement for paying Kurdistan's oil companies for exports, but legislative, legal, and practical hurdles remain.

Nov 6, 2024

Iraqi oil exports steady in October

Muted oil sales reflect Iraq's ongoing efforts to comply with OPEC-plus quota agreements.

Oct 29, 2024

September production drops in response to OPEC quota pressure

Iraq cut output at state-operated fields and shifted maintenance schedules in a bid to improve OPEC-plus compliance.

Oct 29, 2024

Iraq signs 5-plus and 6th round contracts

Thirteen deals from the May licensing round were finalized and signed at a ceremony in Baghdad, as Chinese firms further expand their footprint in Iraq’s oil sector.

Oct 22, 2024

Abdulghani returns to ministry, but leadership questions linger

The oil minister is back at his desk after a health scare, but his multi-week absence surfaced unresolved political rivalries that could shake up oil sector leadership.

Oct 18, 2024

Q&A: Ali Salman Majeed, deputy director general of South Gas Company

A top gas official discusses developments with TotalEnergies, Basra Gas Company, and other projects aiming to end flaring and produce enough products to expand exports.

Oct 8, 2024

Ali Maarij takes temporary leadership of Oil Ministry

The deputy minister has assumed acting authorities to run the ministry as Hayyan Abdulghani recovers from a health emergency.

Oct 4, 2024

September exports fall as Iraq claims OPEC quota compliance

Production cuts that started in August appear to be reflected in a 100,000 bpd reduction in September oil sales.

Sep 26, 2024

August production falls as Iraq initiates cuts

Renewed OPEC-plus pressure pushes Iraq to cut at least 100,000 bpd from state fields and accelerate maintenance plans at other projects in a bid to improve quota compliance.

Sep 23, 2024

Analysis: As cash flows from Baghdad, political risks deepen for Kurdistan and its oil sector

A new era of financial integration with Baghdad has provided the KRG with badly needed budget support while also exposing new levels of political vulnerability.