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)

May 27, 2022

Despite turbulence, Kurdistan’s IOCs look to raise spending and output

High oil prices are spurring international oil companies in Kurdistan to raise production, even as they face new legal threats, political upheaval, and commercial uncertainty.

May 19, 2022

Iraq’s April oil production holds steady

Output increases at several IOC-operated fields in southern Iraq were offset by cuts from Basra's state-operated fields.

May 19, 2022

Q&A: Electricity Minister Adel Karim

As Iraq approaches the summer peak of electricity demand, another crisis is looming as the caretaker government lacks the budget authority to boost power supply.

May 17, 2022

Tensions rise over alleged intrusion at Kirkuk oil wells

Iraq's North Oil Company has accused the KRG of trying to grab control of oil wells at Bai Hassan field, reflecting a long history of mistrust and political friction.

May 11, 2022

Gas pipeline stalled by intra-Kurdish political rifts

KRG leaders have been touting the potential for major gas exports to Turkey and Europe, but worsening political rivalries are so far preventing pipeline construction.

May 9, 2022

Q&A: Mohammed Fazah Abid, director of the Samawah oil refinery

The Samawah oil refinery is pushing to improve the quality of its fuel output and eventually double its size from a current capacity of 30,000 bpd.

May 3, 2022

April exports rise by 200k bpd

Countrywide oil sales have rebounded to their highest level in two years, although infrastructure bottlenecks threaten to limit further increases.

Apr 27, 2022

Iraq taps Dhi Qar oil fields for capacity expansion

Production is rising at the Gharraf field, while the Subba field prepares to come back online and the Nassiriya field starts a new drilling program.

Apr 26, 2022

Q&A: Abdulbaqi K. Ali, Oil Ministry consultant for Energy Affairs

The Oil Ministry's point person for renewable energy discusses new solar projects, gas flaring reduction, and Iraq's Paris Agreement climate goals.

Apr 25, 2022

Q&A: Alaa al-Yassiri, director general of SOMO

The head of Iraq’s state oil marketer discusses expanding and diversifying export routes and the potential for increasing Iraqi crude supply.