Energy

Nationwide refining capacity surges as Baiji ramps up

Iraq can now process over 1.5 million bpd of crude, as the country's largest refinery completes a decade-long comeback.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (center) visits the Baiji refinery in August 2023 to announce projects to rehabilitate and expand the facility. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Mar 22, 2018

Iraq enlists service companies to manage Majnoon

As Basra Oil Company prepares to take over operatorship from Shell, it is finalizing contracts with KBR and Anton to help manage the super-giant field.

Mar 21, 2018

New deal to unlock KRG gas production

Pearl Petroleum has signed a Gas Sales Agreement that promises to boost KRG natural gas output this year and more than double it by 2020.

Mar 20, 2018

February production lifted by Rumaila and Zubair

Rising output at Iraq's two most prolific fields boosted the country's production average.

Mar 14, 2018

Q&A: SOMO Director General Alaa al-Yassiri

Iraq's oil exports chief discusses Baghdad-Ankara-KRG oil negotiations, a new oil trading joint venture, and the possibility of a third grade of Basra crude.

Mar 13, 2018

Kirkuk fields begin to re-start

NOC is taking initial steps to bring some production at Bai Hassan and Avana Dome back online, increasing crude flows to refineries in Kurdistan.

Mar 13, 2018

ZhenHua expands China’s role in Iraq’s oil sector

The Chinese state-owned company is looking to form an oil trading joint venture with SOMO and develop the East Baghdad oil field.

Mar 7, 2018

Q&A: Ibrahim Bahralolom, MP and former oil minister

Following the passage of seminal legislation to resurrect the Iraq National Oil Company, one of the principal authors discusses how it will reshape the country's oil sector.

Mar 5, 2018

Parliament re-establishes Iraq National Oil Company

New legislation could restructure the oil sector, creating a new executive body for field management and limiting the Oil Ministry to strategic policy and regulatory functions.

Mar 4, 2018

2018 budget passes despite Kurdish boycott

Iraq's new $88 billion budget reflects a widening political divide between Baghdad and the Kurdistan region.

Mar 1, 2018

February exports climb, despite hurdles

Southern Iraq oil sales slightly decreased compared to January, but Kurdistan exports from storage pushed nationwide monthly averages up.