In 2017, federal Iraq averaged more daily crude exports than ever before and a 37 percent revenue increase over 2016.
Iraq's state drilling company builds its credentials as it competes with international service companies for international oil company contracts in Iraq.
Kurdish, Sunni and Basrawi MPs are the most vocal critics of the draft budget, claiming inadequate revenue sharing despite slightly increased overall spending.
Iraq's largest refinery, and the industry in south Iraq generally, is making steady progress for necessary growth.
Federal exports hit their second-highest monthly average in history, but KRG sales declined steeply in the aftermath of Kirkuk upheaval.
Iraq announces record exports and oil sector development plans as it agrees to an extension of OPEC production quotas through 2018.
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.
With major Kirkuk oil fields offline due to Baghdad-KRG conflicts, Iraq is looking to compensate with rising production from southern fields.
In an upcoming effort to attract investors to nine exploration blocks, Iraq will scrap its signature technical service contracts.
By trucking crude to Iran, the Oil Ministry would reduce dependence on the KRG-controlled export system and open a new outlet for Kirkuk oil that is currently stranded.
