Energy

Chevron eyes Lukoil’s Iraq assets

The American company is emerging as the leading contender for the 480,000 bpd West Qurna 2 field as U.S. sanctions appear to be squeezing Lukoil out of Iraq.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (center) and Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghani (center-right) meet with a delegation from Chevron in Baghdad on Dec. 10, 2025. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

Sep 25, 2017

Showdown turns to oil as referendum dispute intensifies

The day before Monday's Kurdistan independence referendum, Iraq's National Security Council called on the world to respect claims to federal control over oil and borders.

Sep 19, 2017

Kurdistan gets Russian vote of confidence

Besieged by international pressure to delay its independence referendum, the KRG gets geopolitical backup from a Rosneft agreement to underwrite oil and gas export pipelines.

Sep 14, 2017

Shell accelerates Iraq drawdown with Majnoon exit

Negotiations begin over handing back the Majnoon operatorship, months after stake in West Qurna 1 was put up for sale, highlighting one major oil company's resistance to Iraq's tough terms.

Sep 12, 2017

Hawija offensive hamstrung by Baghdad-Erbil mistrust

Long-standing disputes over Kirkuk and its oil threaten to turn allies against each other as they prepare to chase IS from one of its last strongholds in Iraq.

Sep 11, 2017

Alamri out as head of Iraq’s oil sales

The latest shakeup of Oil Ministry leadership sees longtime SOMO chief replaced with senior ministry official currently focused on financial matters.

Sep 8, 2017

DNO takes Exxon operatorship

The Norwegian oil company will get half of ExxonMobil's stake in the Bashiqa block, one of three contracts it still holds with Iraqi Kurdistan, in the latest confidence-building move that could help the sector regain its momentum.

Sep 7, 2017

New chiefs for Basra Oil and South Gas companies

Iraq's oil minister swapped the leaders at two of Iraq's most important state-run energy companies.

Sep 5, 2017

Oil revenues up, but August exports dip

Iraq is averaging higher-than-expected oil prices so far this year, but is struggling to maintain export volumes as a result of OPEC cuts and disputes with Kurdistan.

Aug 31, 2017

KRG deal settles debts, gives more acreage to Pearl

By settling with Dana Gas and partners, the Kurdistan region avoids tens of billions of dollars of potential liability and commissions massive new gas production within two years.

Aug 30, 2017

Siba preparing year-end commercial gas production

The first successful project from Iraq's third bidding round, in 2010, is on track to reach plateau production within five years.