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)

Oct 16, 2025

Political disunity clouds KRG fiscal and energy outlooks

Deadlocked talks over forming a new regional Cabinet highlight a bitter rivalry between two ruling parties that poses risks to Kurdistan's economy and energy sector.

Oct 15, 2025

Iraq races to finalize oil deals ahead of elections

Sudani administration activates a major contract with BP and strikes preliminary agreements with ExxonMobil and Chevron as national elections near and deal-making window starts to shut.

Oct 3, 2025

Q&A: Bassim Mohammed Khudair, deputy oil minister for upstream

The deputy minister provides details on the new agreements to unlock northern exports, and an update on talks with ExxonMobil.

Oct 2, 2025

Iraqi exports trending up as Ceyhan loadings resume

Southern exports increased in September, and Iraq's nationwide oil sales are expected to climb further as the pipeline to Turkey reopens.

Sep 30, 2025

Analysis: Iraqi elections approach, with high stakes for energy sector

Political insiders weigh in on potential election outcomes and their implications for the country’s investment climate.

Sep 26, 2025

Iraq preps for northern exports after clinching tripartite oil deal

Test flows are expected to begin Saturday as Baghdad, Erbil, and IOCs reach agreement on cooperative pipeline exports via Turkey.

Sep 22, 2025

Kurdistan poised to restart pipeline exports

Baghdad, Erbil, and oil companies appear to have reached a three-way agreement to resume Kurdistan's oil exports under federal authority.

Sep 18, 2025

Iraq oil output rebounds in August

Production increased in August as OPEC-plus quotas continued to ease and fields in Iraqi Kurdistan recovered from drone attacks.

Sep 11, 2025

Deadly political divisions raise risks for Kurdistan

Rivalries between political leaders in Sulaimaniya have exploded into violence and undermined relations between Iraqi Kurdistan’s two ruling parties at a key political moment.

Sep 1, 2025

Iraqi oil sales steady in August

Export levels were unchanged from July to August as authorities in Baghdad and Erbil continue talks to resume northern crude flows to Turkey.