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)

Jun 4, 2018

Nationwide exports and revenues increase in May

Oil exports from Iraq's federal government and Kurdistan region increased in May, taking advantage of a rising oil price.

May 24, 2018

ZhenHua inks deal for East Baghdad field

Chinese firm will quadruple production, to 40,000 bpd, under a new deal that differs significantly from Iraq's previous technical service contracts.

May 22, 2018

Q&A: Gary Vogler

The longest-serving American in Iraq's oil sector gives an insider's account of tactical victories, strategic blunders, and hidden agendas in post-2003 reconstruction.

May 8, 2018

Q&A: Fazil Basharati, member of KDP leadership council

A leading member of the KRG's ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) discusses fractures among Kurdish parties and the prospects for unification in Baghdad.

May 8, 2018

Oil Ministry widens BP mandate in Kirkuk

BP's consulting deal to help maximize Kirkuk production now includes more fields, including key assets currently managed by the KRG.

May 2, 2018

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

The head of the Oil Ministry's Petroleum Contracts and Licensing Directorate discusses negotiations with Exxon, Iraq's new oil contract terms, the future of Kirkuk, and much more.

May 2, 2018

April exports fall but revenues rise

Iraq contends with overworked offshore terminals and pipelines, but monthly revenues rise on higher global prices.

Apr 26, 2018

Discovered fields win the day in fifth bidding round

Oil Ministry nets significant victory with three mid-size oil firms successfully bidding on six projects after concerns raised by companies.

Apr 26, 2018

Federal Iraq’s first commercial gas field is ready

A day before a fifth fields auction, Iraq's sole successful gas field thus far from a previous bidding round is readied to supply much needed gas to power plants.

Apr 11, 2018

Iraq exports hit infrastructure ceiling

Oil slicks in the Basra Gulf reveal that Iraq's export ambitions may be putting too much pressure on outdated pipelines.