Energy

Iraqi wartime production cuts reach 3.6 million bpd

Iraq is navigating acute logistical and infrastructure challenges to maximize refinery consumption and exports while the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Workers from the state-run Iraqi Drilling Company (IDC) work on a well at the West Qurna 1 field in Basra in March 2026. (Photo credit: IDC)

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Oil slicks in the Basra Gulf reveal that Iraq's export ambitions may be putting too much pressure on outdated pipelines.

Apr 10, 2018

Kurdistan oil lawsuit moves forward

Iraq's Federal Supreme Court will finally hear a six-year-old case on the fundamental constitutional conflicts that underpin Baghdad-Erbil oil disputes.

Apr 8, 2018

Q&A: Ihsan Ismaael, Basra Oil Company director general

Basra's top oil man discusses developing Majnoon after Shell, plus myriad projects to repair and upgrade offshore export capacity.