Energy

Southern export uptick unlocks production gains

A partial resumption in tanker traffic has enabled at least 250,000 bpd in increased oil output, but a full recovery still depends on wartime dynamics outside Iraq’s control.

Workers from Iraq's Oil Pipelines Company perform maintenance work on a gas pipeline feeding the Mansuriya power station in June 2026. (Photo credit: Oil Pipelines Company)

Jun 3, 2019

Iraqi crude exports jump to near-record levels in May

The federal government and KRG both increased their oil sales, combining for the second-highest monthly export average that Iraq has ever posted.

May 29, 2019

Iraq’s North Oil Co. sues to take Khurmala back from KRG

Khurmala Dome accounts for one-third of Iraqi Kurdistan's oil output; the federal North Oil Company, which controlled the field until 2008, is taking legal action to reclaim it.

May 24, 2019

Baghdad-Kurdistan oil disputes flare up in Parliament

After a period of detente following the formation of a new government, politicians are raising new complaints about federal budget payments to Kurdistan.

May 23, 2019

Deals in limbo as Oil Ministry fights political headwinds

As populist MPs raise unsubstantiated corruption allegations around oil projects, decision makers are moving cautiously on major initiatives while they beat back political opportunists.

May 18, 2019

U.S. warnings spur Exxon evacuation of expats

Production is unaffected and the security situation appears calm as ExxonMobil evacuates dozens of foreign staff from the West Qurna 1 field, following U.S. claims of threats from Iran.

May 16, 2019

Iraq maintains OPEC cuts in April

Output continues to fall as state-operated fields in Basra produce 400,000 bpd below capacity.

May 16, 2019

Q&A: Shwan Aziz Saleh, Director General of Al-Barham Group

The 50,000 bpd Kirkuk refinery is set to produce more quantities of higher-quality gasoline and naphtha, thereby reducing the fuel oil that is exported.

May 16, 2019

Iraqi oil industry calm amidst U.S. warnings on Iran

As the U.S. evacuates diplomatic personnel, citing threats from Iran, Iraq's oil sector and its IOC partners maintain status quo.

May 10, 2019

Q&A: Hossam Hussein Wali, director general of the South Refineries Company

Iraq's largest refinery is set to expand by over 30 percent this year.

May 8, 2019

Cabinet endorses SIIP negotiations with Exxon

The Cabinet threw political weight behind the Southern Iraq Integrated Project, injecting momentum into negotiations over a massive infrastructure deal that is critical to Iraq's production and export growth.