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)

Sep 11, 2018

August production soars as Iraq grabs market share

For the second straight month, Iraq has increased production by more than 100,000 bpd as it unleashes latent capacity.

Sep 10, 2018

Baiji refinery begins its comeback

Despite ongoing violence, including a weekend pipeline bombing, the Baiji refinery's resumption of operations marks progress in Iraq's northern oil sector.

Sep 10, 2018

Baghdad-KRG oil rights case delayed again

Iraq's Federal Supreme Court is struggling to appoint impartial technical experts to help parse the arguments over the legality of Kurdistan's independent oil sector.

Sep 5, 2018

Violent protests reignite in Iraq’s oil capital

The recent killing of a protester fueled renewed anti-government demonstrations in Basra city and around several oil fields, some of which turned deadly.

Sep 2, 2018

Iraqi oil exports and revenues skyrocket in August

Surge in output from both federal Iraq and Kurdistan were backed by increasing oil prices.

Aug 29, 2018

Court replaces expert in oil rights case

The Supreme Court rescinded the appointment of a technical expert after KRG lawyers challenged his objectivity, further delaying a case to adjudicate Baghdad-KRG oil disputes.

Aug 29, 2018

Basra calls on oil companies to solve water crisis

The Basra governor wants to hold IOCs responsible for building treatment plants for a province starved of clean water.

Aug 16, 2018

Basra Oil Co. moves Chevron project forward

Meeting on Thursday paves way for study of three fields as Iraqi officials envision larger role for Chevron.

Aug 10, 2018

No break in south Iraq protests

Demonstrations continued for a fifth week as protesters say demands remain unanswered.

Aug 8, 2018

Iraq production surges after OPEC meeting

Oil Ministry unleashes latent capacity from state-run fields in July, more than compensating for production dips resulting from protests in southern Iraq.