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)

Jan 9, 2018

Iraq finalizes IOC list for May 7 bidding round

Among the companies pre-qualified for new fields and blocks are at least eight with activities in Kurdistan's oil sector.

Jan 9, 2018

Houston firm likely to land Nahr Bin Omar deal

Iraq to sign with Orion Gas Processors to halt flaring and monetize associated gas at state-run field.

Jan 5, 2018

KRG exports tick up in December

Kurdistan's fourth-quarter exports plummeted after Baghdad's takeover of Kirkuk-area fields, but independent oil sales have risen modestly due to recent production increases.

Jan 3, 2018

UPDATE: Record year for Iraq oil exports

In 2017, federal Iraq averaged more daily crude exports than ever before and a 37 percent revenue increase over 2016.

Dec 11, 2017

Q&A: Bassim Mohammed Khudair, director general of the Iraq Drilling Company

Iraq's state drilling company builds its credentials as it competes with international service companies for international oil company contracts in Iraq.

Dec 8, 2017

2018 budget faces opposition, delays

Kurdish, Sunni and Basrawi MPs are the most vocal critics of the draft budget, claiming inadequate revenue sharing despite slightly increased overall spending.

Dec 6, 2017

Q&A: Hossam Hussein Wali, director general of the South Refineries Company

Iraq's largest refinery, and the industry in south Iraq generally, is making steady progress for necessary growth.

Dec 1, 2017

Iraqi exports shoot to near-record levels

Federal exports hit their second-highest monthly average in history, but KRG sales declined steeply in the aftermath of Kirkuk upheaval.

Nov 30, 2017

Q&A: Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luiebi

Iraq announces record exports and oil sector development plans as it agrees to an extension of OPEC production quotas through 2018.

Nov 30, 2017

No easy solution for stranded Kirkuk crude

The Oil Ministry is considering a pipeline to link Kirkuk oil fields with domestic refineries, and issuing a tender for rebuilding the export pipeline to Turkey.