Energy

Iraq begins oil leadership reshuffle, including major corruption arrest

As a new government takes power, high-level political shifts are starting to filter down through the leadership ranks of Iraq's oil sector.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (center) chairs a meeting on auditing government contracts with the head of the Integrity Commission and other senior federal officials in Baghdad on May 30, 2026. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Jul 29, 2021

Kurdistan gives oil companies 18-month deadline to end gas flaring

The unexpected directive could spur progress toward ending the wasteful and environmentally damaging practice of flaring, but it also raises concerns for oil companies.

Jul 22, 2021

Iraq production steady in June as OPEC eases quota policy

June output averaged 4.05 million bpd. Iraq will have further leeway to increase production under a breakthrough deal recently agreed by the OPEC-plus group.

Jul 15, 2021

Iraq’s cabinet appoints former oil minister Ghadhban to INOC

Despite legislative delays to full implementation, Iraq's government has approved the next steps to a new national oil company.

Jul 2, 2021

Oil price recovery boosts Iraq’s June export earnings above $6 billion

Nationwide exports declined slightly to 3.318 million bpd as Iraq faces OPEC-plus expectations to limit output to compensate for past overproduction.

Jul 2, 2021

Iraqi tax commission cracks down on international energy companies

A new enforcement action seeks to stop 20 companies from bringing personnel or equipment into Iraq, threatening major disruptions at key projects.

Jul 1, 2021

Q&A: Hamza Abdul-Baqi Nassir, director general of the South Gas Company

Iraq is continuing to negotiate with Total over the Ratawi gas hub as export cuts from Iran and nationwide electricity failures highlight the need for new domestic energy supply.

Jun 29, 2021

Electricity crisis worsens as Iran cuts supply and minister resigns

Power blackouts throughout Iraq threaten to cause new bouts of social unrest over chronic failures to build adequate domestic gas and electricity supply.

Jun 18, 2021

Hope rises for Baghdad-Erbil budget deal, but hurdles remain

Under a new agreement, Kurdistan could start receiving 200 billion Iraqi dinars per month.

Jun 16, 2021

May oil production holds steady near 4m bpd

Iraq's Oil Ministry is sitting on roughly 1 million bpd of capacity — and developing more — as OPEC quotas begin to ease.

Jun 15, 2021

Q&A: Habat al-Halbusi, chair of the Parliament Oil and Energy Committee

The MP leading Parliament's oversight of Iraq's oil and electricity sectors discusses the importance of gas development and the status of INOC legislation.