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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)

OPEC-plus concern keeps lid on May production growth

Nationwide crude output is far below developed capacity due to the ongoing northern pipeline outage, southern infrastructure constraints, and — most acutely — quota pressure from OPEC-plus.

Iraq finalizes $8 billion Fao refinery deal

China's CNCEC has signed a contract for the 300,000 bpd refinery. The total price could rise to $20 billion with the construction of a petrochemical plant and power plant.

KAR Group wins Ninewa gas block

Iraq's Oil Ministry has now awarded 13 new projects across three days of bidding in the five-plus and sixth licensing rounds.

New leadership for SOMO

Khudair Abbas replaces Ammar al-Anbagi as the head of Iraq's state oil marketing company.