Energy

Iran reversal on Strait of Hormuz threatens Iraq’s nascent export restart

Iranian forces blocked a tanker carrying Iraqi crude, dampening hopes for a durable resumption of Iraq's southern exports.

The Agios Fanourios I tanker prepares to dock at a single point mooring buoy in the Basra Gulf in April 2026 for the first loading of crude from Iraq's southern export outlets in more than a month. (Photo credit: Ministry of Transportation)

Jul 28, 2022

Muhammad Fazza Abed, Director of Karbala refinery. (STAFF/Iraq Oil Report)

Q&A: Muhammad Fazza Abed, Director of Karbala refinery

The 140,000 bpd ultra-modern Karbala refinery, federal Iraq's first large greenfield build in decades, is in the final stages of pre-commissioning now and is set for an October startup.

Jul 26, 2022

Iraq’s oil output surges in June as southern fields ramp up

Production and exports are rising as OPEC-plus quotas continue to loosen and high global oil prices bring record revenues.

Jul 20, 2022

Iraq refining sector makes incremental gains

Projects nearing completion this year could boost refining capacity by 140,000 bpd, despite chronic failures to attract foreign capital.

Jul 13, 2022

Q&A: Bassem Abdul Karim Nassir, head of the Iraqi Drilling Company

Iraq's state company for drilling has idle rigs ready for more upstream development.

Jul 8, 2022

Kurdistan amends regional oil law, reviving Oil and Gas Council

New amendments give the KRG's ruling party control of the energy sector's main policymaking body, which had been dormant for more than two years.

Jul 6, 2022

Court postpones hearing on Gulf Keystone contract with KRG

Days after declaring four of Kurdistan's oil contracts to be invalid, Baghdad court schedules a hearing on three others for July 17.

Jul 4, 2022

Baghdad court declares four KRG oil contracts void

Secretive ruling marks escalation in Oil Ministry campaign to end Kurdistan's oil sector independence.

Jul 4, 2022

Baghdad court rejects Kurdistan’s delay tactics in lawsuit against IOCs

The Oil Ministry’s lawsuit against seven oil companies operating in Kurdistan gained momentum as a Baghdad judge moves toward reviewing contracts.

Jun 29, 2022

Halliburton pledges to obey blacklist policy against KRG oil sector

Three major U.S. oil services companies have now told the Oil Ministry they will comply with new restrictions stemming from February's landmark court ruling against Kurdistan.

Jun 28, 2022

Oil services companies bow to Baghdad blacklist

Oil Ministry pressure tactics are beginning to inflict pain in the wake of the Federal Supreme Court's landmark ruling against Kurdistan's energy sector.