Energy

Summer crisis looms as wartime disruptions hit Iraq’s power sector

Iraq's electricity grid has survived a drop in domestic gas feedstock by employing backup measures that are unlikely to meet the challenges of summertime demand spikes.

Workers from Iraq's State Company for Oil Projects install a pipeline to help transport gas from the Nahr Bin Omar field to the Basra Gas Company's NGL processing plant at North Rumaila in April 2026. (Photo credit: SCOP)

Oct 31, 2019

Rising tide of Iraqi protest movement reaches oil sector

Oil workers are organizing to show solidarity with protesters, and demonstrations are targeting key oil sites directly – increasing pressure on an already faltering government.

Oct 30, 2019

Oil Ministry appoints new acting Basra oil chief

As the new acting head of the Basra Oil Company, Bassim Abdulkarim will oversee the majority of Iraq's oil production, cementing the ouster of Ihsan Ismaael.

Oct 23, 2019

Production falls as Iraq moves toward OPEC compliance

After hitting record levels in August and early September, the Oil Ministry has reduced output to help support global prices.

Oct 22, 2019

Export infrastructure outage underscores Iraq’s need for diversified outlets

One of Iraq's single-point mooring export buoys is being replaced, temporarily reducing the backup options for Iraq’s economic lifeblood.

Oct 16, 2019

Ismaael removed as head of Basra Oil Company

One of Iraq's top oil leaders has been dismissed, as the Cabinet enacts orders to replace dozens of directors general.

Oct 16, 2019

UPDATE: Iraq gets another Iran sanctions waiver from Washington

The State Department approved another 120 days exempting Iraq from U.S. sanctions on Iran, just before a prior waiver was set to expire.

Oct 10, 2019

Q&A: Mansour Mareed Attia, governor of Ninewa province

Five months into his tenure, the new governor discusses the status of Mosul reconstruction, security, and energy sector investment.

Oct 2, 2019

Nationwide oil exports dip in September

Crude sales decrease as Baghdad moves toward OPEC quota compliance and the KRG contends with a planned pipeline outage.

Oct 1, 2019

Q&A: Najim Abdullah, director of the Zubair oil field commission

Iraq's number two oil field is planning to raise output by more than 200,000 bpd in the next three years — if it a can secure new supplies of water.

Sep 20, 2019

Record August production highlights Iraqi spare capacity

As oil markets respond to geopolitical conflicts, a record month for Iraqi crude production showcases the latent potential of the country's state-run fields.