Energy

Iraq races to finalize oil deals ahead of elections

Sudani administration activates a major contract with BP and strikes preliminary agreements with ExxonMobil and Chevron as national elections near and deal-making window starts to shut.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (standing, center), BP CEO Murray Auchincloss (standing, left), and Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghan (standing, right) oversee the signing of a deal for BP to rehabilitate Kirkuk oil fields and build gas processing and power generation infrastructure at a ceremony in Baghdad on March 26, 2025. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Apr 7, 2010

Smuggling racket revealed in Dhi Qar

A rare occurrence in Dhi Qar as smugglers mask a tapping operation in a water treatment plant.

Mar 30, 2010

Rumaila legal challenge set for April 27

Court gives government and MP time to prepare response in case that could nullify BP and CNPC's contract to develop the Rumaila oil field.

Mar 25, 2010

Powering Baghdad

Nearly a nuclear power plant's worth of private generators fill in for the struggling national electricity grid in Baghdad.

Mar 23, 2010

Workers strike and demonstrate in Basra

Negotiations on pay, hours and leadership break down once more, and unions call workers to withhold labour.

Mar 18, 2010

Missan fields finally awarded to China

Missan fields awarded to Chinese firms, with contract signing likely early next week.

Mar 18, 2010

Iraq and Turkey negotiate new pipeline deal

Iraq hopes to negotiate terms for a better future for much-attacked northern pipeline, though Turkey concerned it will lose revenue again if security fails.

Mar 17, 2010

Armed group targets foreign oil companies in Basra

Weapons cache and threatening note naming international companies discovered by oil police near Zubair oil field in Basra province.

Mar 11, 2010

Interview: Iraq’s Minister of Electricity

Karim Waheed Hasan talks about increasing the power supply but being outpaced by demand, disputes with other ministries, worsening security and sectarianism and politics.

Mar 10, 2010

No deal yet on China bid for Missan oil fields

Mixed signals from Oil Ministry on new offer from Chinese consortium for fields offered in first bidding round, which include famed Fakka field that saw Iranian occupation.

Mar 9, 2010

Refining the future

Remaining sabotage, smuggling no match - so far - for Iraq's plans to upgrade key oil infrastructure.