Energy

January oil production inches higher despite Rumaila dip

Nationwide crude production increased by just over 50,000 bpd as state-operated Basra fields ramped up to compensate for a temporary decline at Rumaila.

Deputy Oil Minister Bassim Mohammed Khudair (center) and Basra Oil Company Director General Bassim Abdul Karim (right) tour part of the Ratawi project led by TotalEnergies in February 2026. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

Aug 30, 2022

UPDATE: Civil unrest raises risks for oil sector

As political crisis and escalating violence threaten the stability of the state, followers of Sadr have also started protests at some oil fields.

Aug 25, 2022

Iraq pursues solar power goals, but hurdles remain

Solar could give a game-changing boost to Iraq's electricity supply and budget, but outdated policy, rigid bureaucracy, and political dysfunction stand in the way.

Aug 25, 2022

UPDATE: Baghdad issues new legal threats to block Kurdistan exports

Letter from Iraq's oil marketing company warns of "firm legal action" against participants in the KRG's independent oil trade.

Aug 23, 2022

Kurdistan appeals Baghdad ruling against IOCs

Entering the legal fray as a third party, the KRG is appealing a Baghdad court’s July decision to invalidate four oil contracts.

Aug 18, 2022

July crude output rises by 100,000 bpd

Production increased sharply at key southern fields but infrastructure bottlenecks still limit Iraq's ability to take advantage of rising OPEC quotas.

Aug 16, 2022

Armed protesters demand oil jobs, sparking deadly gunfire

A 19-year-old was killed at a demonstration near Kurdistan's Akri Bijeel oil field.

Aug 9, 2022

Public anger combusts at violent oil field protests

Sunday's clashes at the Halfaya field left 18 security officers injured — highlighting the volatile consequences of government paralysis amidst failing services and high unemployment.

Aug 9, 2022

Oil Ministry puts Gazprom, Dana Gas in legal crosshairs

Baghdad is expanding its campaign to invalidate Kurdistan's oil contracts, filing new cases against the Russian and Emirati companies.

Aug 8, 2022

July oil exports slightly down

Iraq's crude sales receded in July as seasonal demand spikes fueled domestic consumption and quality issues hurt the marketing of Basra Heavy.

Aug 3, 2022

Political upheaval in Baghdad reverberates across oil sector

In the increasingly chaotic struggle to form a new government, Iraq's oil sector has been both a political battleground and a victim of dysfunctional governance.