Long-anticipated work has begun in KRG blocks, including in disputed territories.
Construction, attacks and weather hampered output but oil exports in 2014 should outperform expectations, though the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline has already been attacked.
Kurdistan has been trucking large volumes of crude oil through Iran, a trade set to change as the KRG plans to begin exporting crude by pipeline
With a dispute over Basra's 2014 budget allocation looming, the governor of Iraq's oil capital is threatening to launch protests and even shut in oil exports.
After months of solicitation, the Iraqi Oil Ministry has produced a contract model that IOCs appear happy with, though the real test will be at the bidding round.
In a final stage of testing before exports can begin, Kurdistan has begun sending crude through its new pipeline and into Turkish territory, despite unresolved conflicts with Baghdad.
As its energy alliance with Turkey solidifies, Kurdistan's oil sector has entered a new phase - but key questions remain.
Iraq's oil sales rose through both southern and northern export routes despite ongoing upgrades, maintenance and security issues.
The West Qurna 1 field now has PetroChina and Pertamina partners, though ExxonMobil retains operator role.
Two years after taking center stage in Iraq's oil disputes with its signing of six KRG production sharing contracts, ExxonMobil is about to start drilling for oil.
