Energy

Iran reversal on Strait of Hormuz threatens Iraq’s nascent export restart

Iranian forces blocked a tanker carrying Iraqi crude, dampening hopes for a durable resumption of Iraq's southern exports.

The Agios Fanourios I tanker prepares to dock at a single point mooring buoy in the Basra Gulf in April 2026 for the first loading of crude from Iraq's southern export outlets in more than a month. (Photo credit: Ministry of Transportation)

Feb 20, 2025

New Syria oil trade begins, despite political volatility

Syria's autonomous Kurdish-led enclave has revived an energy trade supplying oil and gas to territory controlled by the transitional government in Damascus.

Feb 13, 2025

Baghdad court ends Oil Ministry challenge to KRG oil contracts

Kurdistan's oil companies cemented a legal victory as the final avenue for appeal has closed.

Feb 12, 2025

Q&A: Ali Qais Abdul Jabbar, director general of the Iraqi Oil Tankers Company

The IOTC chief discusses exports of heavy fuel oil and Qayarah crude, and ambitions to expand Iraq's fleet of oil tankers.

Feb 11, 2025

Q&A: Firas Habib Haider, director of Majnoon oil field

Southern Iraq's largest state-run field is developing new production capacity and working to capture more associated gas.

Feb 7, 2025

Khor Mor development continues after latest drone attack

Production and expansion work continue at key gas field after yet another attack highlights unresolved Iraqi government security failures.

Feb 5, 2025

Rumaila still reeling after large fire

Production at Iraq's largest field is still down by at least 120,000 bpd as repair crews contend with extensive damage from a Jan. 24 fire.

Feb 3, 2025

Budget amendment takes Iraq one step toward northern export restart

Parliament passed an amendment to the national budget law designed to pay oil companies in Kurdistan and unlock pipeline exports to Turkey.

Jan 30, 2025

As Genel exits Taq Taq field, new hopes for restart

Change in operator could spur new activity at the oil field, which has been offline since 2023 after a steady production decline.

Jan 25, 2025

Large fire causes partial shutdown of Rumaila production

Iraq's most prolific oil field temporarily lost about 120,000 bpd of production after 60 wells were taken offline in response to a storage tank fire.

Jan 24, 2025

Rising budget controversy endangers northern export restart

A compromise measure to pay Kurdistan's oil contractors and unlock Iraq's northern oil export route has met major political opposition.