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)

Jan 12, 2010

Oil deal signings to start Sunday

Majnoon, Garraf, Qaiyarah and Najmah to be signed starting Sunday, while ministry awaits companies to OK changes to remaining five deals aimed to drastically boost production capacity.

Jan 11, 2010

Maliki at oil transparency launch: ‘corruption is treason’

International effort will keep light on Iraq's attempt to be first Middle East nation to receive EITI accreditation, which was officially launched Sunday.

Jan 7, 2010

2010 budget stuck on KRG oil exports

Section in $71 billion budget legislation threatens Iraqi Kurdistan's share of revenue if oil exports remain shut in.

Jan 6, 2010

Majnoon, three other oil fields approved by Cabinet

Four deals approved after requested (and undisclosed) changes are made, leaving five from the first and second auctions last year to get Cabinet OK.

Jan 6, 2010

Comment & Analysis: Iraq’s oil and gas challenges and opportunities

Technical analysis and opinion by an Iraqi oil consultant, a founding executive of the Iraqi National Oil Company, and an author of the 2006 draft Iraqi oil law.

Jan 4, 2010

Russia looking forward to Iraqi oil development

Gazprom executive Alexander Kolomatsky spoke with Iraq Oil Report about the cost to develop the Badra oil field, which may be part in Iran, raising issues of sanctions and security.

Dec 30, 2009

Final auction fields get draft contract approved

Angola state oil company gets the initial deal for two Ninevah fields approved and sent to Cabinet, the final projects from the December auction.

Dec 30, 2009

Iraq readies final super-giant field for Cabinet

Lukoil, Statoil and ministry agree to draft contract for West Qurna-Phase 2, cooperate with Exxon and Shell of Phase 1, adjust shares.

Dec 29, 2009

Companies, government not concerned with Badra’s Iranian side

Gazprom Neft in talks with Iran to develop other side of Iraqi border field it was awarded in December auction and initialed last week.

Dec 29, 2009

Naft Khanah a gas leak, not fire

Damage is minimal but extent still unknown as reports surface that a gas leak triggered a rush to the northern Iraq field by firefighters.