Energy

Iraq seeks backup export options as Basra loadings falter

Cabinet orders emergency package for boosting oil sales after dropping to a multi-decade low in May.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (center right), Oil Minister Bassim Mohammed Khudair (far left), and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (second from left) confer at a Cabinet meeting in Baghdad on June 2, 2026. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

Oct 19, 2021

Qayarah back online under new agreement

Sonangol has renewed a temporary deal with the Oil Ministry to resume partial production at the Qayarah field in Ninewa province.

Oct 18, 2021

Q&A: Kadhim Matroud, BOC director for Siba gas field

Output is rising at Iraq's only commercially producing dry gas field, but reserves estimates have been cut in half.

Oct 6, 2021

INOC moves to join TotalEnergies in mega-projects

The Iraqi Cabinet has approved the newly formed Iraqi National Oil Company (INOC) to take a partnership stake in a multi-faceted energy deal.

Oct 5, 2021

Qayarah field offline again

Four months after the Ninewa province field came back online, production has again stopped.

Oct 4, 2021

Iraqi exports keep climbing as OPEC quotas ease

Nationwide exports hit their highest monthly average since May 2020.

Sep 23, 2021

Q&A: Farhan Muhssin al-Fartousi, head of the General Company for Ports of Iraq

Work on the Grand Fao port project is moving forward, and oil product exports via Khor al-Zubair are getting an upgrade.

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.