Energy

Iraq begins nationwide production shutdowns

With exports halted by war, Iraq has limited options to keep fields operating and has begun taking millions of barrels of daily production offline.

Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghani (center) meets with his deputies to plan for production cuts in anticipation of a shutdown in southern oil exports on March 2, 2026. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

Sep 22, 2021

Insurgency worsens with deadly new tactics

The Islamic State militant group is staging increasingly bold attacks on both security forces and civilians in northern Iraq, with energy infrastructure also at risk.

Sep 20, 2021

Iraq’s August oil output rises to highest level since April 2020

Production continues to increase as Iraq takes advantage of rising OPEC-plus quotas.

Sep 17, 2021

Foreign investors recoil as Iraq restricts company ownership

Iraq has begun enforcing legislation that prevents foreigners from owning a majority stake in any Iraqi company, casting new uncertainty on an already difficult investment climate.

Sep 14, 2021

Q&A: Hossam Hussein Walli, director general of the South Refineries Company

Expansions of southern Iraq's refining capacity appear to depend on negotiations with foreign investors.

Sep 13, 2021

Gas capture program bolsters Tawke oil production

As Kurdistan's authorities crack down on flaring, a $110 million project by Norway's DNO shows how capturing the associated gas produced along with crude can help both the environment and the bottom line.

Sep 8, 2021

Khor Mor expansion gets $250 million boost from U.S.

The U.S. government's overseas lending facility has approved a huge loan to finance new gas supplies, signaling direct support for Kurdistan's energy sector.

Sep 6, 2021

Q&A: Ali Nazar al-Shatari, deputy director general of SOMO

Infrastructure bottlenecks will limit Iraq's exports and production in the short term, but SOMO is squeezing value from oil sales through new marketing strategies.

Sep 6, 2021

TotalEnergies and Iraq sign blockbuster energy deals

An estimated $27 billion will be spent to increase oil output, cut gas flaring, and launch the country's first solar project.

Sep 4, 2021

INOC launches, aiming to restructure Iraq’s oil sector

In his dual capacity as oil minister and INOC president, Ihsan Ismaael is moving key management authorities and oversight of state oil companies to the newly formed company.

Sep 3, 2021

Total expected to sign $27 billion deal on Sept. 5

The package of four projects promises to provide transformational infrastructure for processing gas, boosting electricity supply, and raising oil production capacity.