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)

Dec 30, 2018

Rising gas supply powers Kurdistan’s electricity revival

Power generation is increasing now that the KRG has settled crippling legal disputes, unlocking new supplies of natural gas feedstock.

Dec 24, 2018

Iraq nears massive oil sector deal with Exxon

After years of negotiations, the Southern Iraq Integrated Project is gaining traction - a critical piece of Iraq's long-term plans to increase production and exports.

Dec 24, 2018

Supreme Court awaiting Cabinet, Parliament action before deciding INOC case

Court wants to know content of new government's proposed changes to earlier national oil company law before deciding how to rule on the legal challenge.

Dec 20, 2018

U.S. grants new Iran sanctions waiver to Iraq

Iraq has been granted a 90-day extension to continue critical Iranian energy imports, following the expiration of the original 45-day waiver.

Dec 13, 2018

Q&A: Abdul Mahdy al-Ameedi, head of oil contracts

The Oil Ministry's contract chief talks about terminating the Mansuriya deal, the process ahead for approving bidding round five projects, and the future of Majnoon.

Dec 11, 2018

Q&A: Hayan Abdulghani, Director General of the South Gas Company

Southern Iraq's top gas official discusses initiatives to end flaring, increase electricity to Basrawi citizens, and wean Iraq from Iranian gas imports.

Dec 7, 2018

Homemade bombs, shootings at southern Iraq oil fields

Local disputes following field protests raise tension in Iraq's key oil provinces.

Dec 3, 2018

November exports decline as global prices drop

Iraq's revenues fell steeply, as the mid-month resumption of Kirkuk oil sales via Turkey was not enough to offset southern export disruptions and sinking oil prices.

Nov 28, 2018

Iraqi power supply plunges with Iran gas pipeline outage

A major artery supplying Iraq with electricity feedstock went offline Tuesday, highlighting the country's energy dependence on Iran.

Nov 16, 2018

Kirkuk exports resume in political test run

Federal Iraq crude flow through Kurdistan's export pipeline to Ceyhan has started again, in a bid to appease Washington and increase revenues.