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)

May 4, 2021

April oil revenues drop slightly despite increased exports

Because of weaker global oil prices, Iraqi oil revenues dropped 5 percent even though exports ticked upward.

May 1, 2021

Oil Ministry objects to Iraqi budget law, citing risks to oil sector

Iraq cannot pay oil companies on time under its 2021 budget law, the Oil Ministry said in an official letter seeking a legal intervention.

Apr 28, 2021

March production dips, but Iraq eyes capacity surge

Nationwide oil output fell by 100,000 bpd, but the Oil Ministry is poised to bring new production online as OPEC quotas look set to ease.

Apr 26, 2021

Q&A: Dhia Shaker al-Luaibi, director of Majnoon oil field

Basra Oil Company's field manager at Majnoon talks foreign interest and Iraqi success in developing the field once operated by Shell.

Apr 23, 2021

Total and Iraq face difficult sticking points in details of massive energy deal

The two sides still need to overcome the same sticking points that have derailed Iraq's previous attempts at multi-faceted Basra mega-deals.

Apr 22, 2021

Q&A: Khalid Hamza Abbas, Basra Oil Company director general

The chief of Basra's oil sector discusses Exxon's impending departure from West Qurna 1, Total's bid for a massive new deal, and Iraq's efforts to develop new capacity from state-run fields.

Apr 21, 2021

Exxon sets deadline to exit West Qurna 1, prompting tough talks with Iraq

The Oil Ministry wants to replace Exxon with another American company, while Exxon has lined up two Chinese firms to buy its stake.

Apr 20, 2021

Iraq awards Mansuriya gas field to Sinopec, boosting hopes for domestic gas sector

Key gas project beset by contracting and security problems could serve domestic energy demand and ease sanctions tension with Washington.

Apr 15, 2021

The Royal Court restaurant, the oil insider, and the $100,000 bribe

In Nassiriya, the arrest of an oil official highlights a kind of corruption that usually stays in the shadows of political protection networks.

Apr 7, 2021

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

The director general of Iraq's state-run drilling company discusses plans to help the country boost production in an era of higher oil prices and loosening OPEC constraints.