Energy

Iraqi oil exports stagnate at two-decade lows as wartime restrictions persist

April oil sales fell to one-twelfth of pre-war volumes as Basra exports restarted and stalled, and northern exports hit a plateau.

A worker checks the valve gears of pipes linked to oil tanks at Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, which is run by state-owned pipeline company Botas. (UMIT BEKTAS/Reuters)

Jun 29, 2012

Iraq awards 4th exploration deal to Bashneft

Dropping its 4th bid round consortium partners, Russia's Bashneft has accepted the Oil Ministry's terms and taken a full stake in exploration Block 12.

Jun 27, 2012

Beyond the Headlines: June 26, 2012

Garraf worker deaths More Bai Hassan bombs Finance Min. blamed for Basra power Bombs hit pipeline in Turkey

Jun 17, 2012

Beyond the Headlines: June 18, 2012

Kidnap victims held for ransom Bai Hassan wells still leaking Anbar touts Akkas success Basra awards $348M in projects

Jun 14, 2012

Q&A: Ninewa Gov. Atheel Nujaifi

The powerful Mosul leader wants to move past the days of al-Qaida, and is demanding help from Baghdad, Kurdistan, Turkey and Exxon to get there.

Jun 11, 2012

Beyond the Headlines: June 11, 2012

KRG to power neighboring provinces Basra suit over gas company Iraq-Jordan ready oil pact Missan prison guards protest work

Jun 8, 2012

Iraq to expand own exploration capacity

Hundreds of millions of dollars planned for increasing equipment, training and workforce of the Oil Ministry's exploration firm in post-4th bid round development.

Jun 4, 2012

Beyond the Headlines: June 4, 2012

Iraq, Iran oil officials meet Dhi Qar praises 4th bid round Missan requests Iran power Exxon standardizes local contracting

Jun 4, 2012

$39B in oil revenue through May, though exports drop

Iraq is on track to hit $100B in oil sales this year – pending prices – though May output has slightly dropped following two record months.

Jun 1, 2012

Lukoil, Pakistan winners in underwhelming fourth bid round

Iraq has awarded three of 12 blocks on offer. Shrugging off disappointment, the Oil Ministry is pledging to hold a fifth bidding round next year.

May 30, 2012

Six blocks offered, one awarded

A Kuwait-Turkish-UAE consortium takes one exploration block – and five more are left un-awarded – on the first day of Iraq's fourth bidding round.