Energy

Oil Ministry slashes upstream spending for 2026

Urgent austerity plan aims to cut $1.4 billion from oil field budgets nationwide in 2026 without affecting production — a warning sign of fiscal trouble for Iraq.

Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghani (center left) and Deputy Oil Minister for Upstream Bassim Mohammed Khdair (center right) meet with Zaid Elyaseri (far left), the president of BP Iraq, in Baghdad on Jan. 26, 2026, to discuss the company's upstream plans and project expenses. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

Jan 30, 2019

Q&A: Ahmed Fadhil Adhayam, deputy director general of Basra Oil Company

BOC is taking major steps to build capacity, even as it limits production in an era of OPEC constraints.

Jan 24, 2019

Court presses Baghdad, KRG for details of oil disputes

Iraq’s highest court again delayed a ruling on a key lawsuit as it seeks information about past political efforts to cooperate.

Jan 23, 2019

Supreme Court rules against INOC law

Iraq's highest court sided with technocrats who challenged legislation to reconstitute the Iraqi National Oil Company, ruling that several key articles are unconstitutional.

Jan 17, 2019

December production hits all-time high, capping 2018 gains

Production capacity is now well over 5 million bpd, but future output could be constrained by infrastructure bottlenecks and OPEC obligations.

Jan 15, 2019

Q&A: Electricity Minister Luay al-Khatteeb

Iraq's new electricity minister discusses fast-track power plans, Siemens and GE, and the myth vs. reality of the Trump administration's lobbying for American companies.

Jan 10, 2019

Q&A: Musab Alkateeb, CEO of Siemens Iraq

Siemens is navigating a new Iraqi government and looking to finalize contracts to help boost Iraq's power production in time for summertime peak demand.

Jan 10, 2019

Q&A: Joseph Anis, head of GE Power Middle East

GE is aiming to leverage its existing footprint in Iraq to win new business and help expand power supply throughout the country.

Jan 9, 2019

No ‘either-or’: Iraq wants both Siemens and GE for fast-track power boost

Electricity Minister Luay al-Khatteeb is prioritizing short-term supply gains, seeking to combine elements of two larger proposals from rival multinationals.

Jan 3, 2019

Q&A: Bassim Mohammed Khudair, director general of the Iraqi Drilling Company

Iraq's state-run drilling company is adding new rigs and expanding its footprint.

Jan 3, 2019

Iraq finishes 2018 with record-breaking exports

Federal Iraq posted its highest monthly export total to date in December and, combined with Kurdistan, set a nationwide annual record.