Energy

Iran reversal on Strait of Hormuz threatens Iraq’s nascent export restart

Iranian forces blocked a tanker carrying Iraqi crude, dampening hopes for a durable resumption of Iraq's southern exports.

The Agios Fanourios I tanker prepares to dock at a single point mooring buoy in the Basra Gulf in April 2026 for the first loading of crude from Iraq's southern export outlets in more than a month. (Photo credit: Ministry of Transportation)

Apr 3, 2025

Kurdistan crude export deadlock persists

Hard-liners in Baghdad appear to be rejecting compromise with oil companies in negotiations to reopen the northern pipeline to Turkey.

Mar 29, 2025

Iraqi production declines in February on Rumaila accident

Nationwide output fell by about 60,000 bpd, but appears set to rebound as Iraq's most prolific field recovers from a damaging fire.

Mar 27, 2025

Q&A: Ahmad Salman, deputy president of Syria’s Kurdish Democratic Progressive Party

A veteran of Syria's oil sector — and a political leader in the oil-rich northeast — discusses negotiations with Damascus over the future of the country.

Mar 24, 2025

Q&A: Montaser Kadhim Haloub, director of SCOP’s Southern Projects Authority

The State Company for Oil Projects is racing to build a pipeline to transport regassified LNG that will be imported via the Khor al-Zubair port.

Mar 23, 2025

Iraq grapples with power shortages and Iran sanctions as summer looms

The expiration of a U.S. sanctions waiver on Iranian electricity imports is complicating Baghdad's balancing act between Tehran and Washington, while the government scrambles for power supply ahead of peak demand season.

Mar 20, 2025

Q&A: Ali Shaddad al-Faris, MP and spokesperson for the Parliament Oil and Gas Committee

An inside view on multiple laws governing oil sector management and new refineries, and political dynamics related to Baghdad-KRG oil and budget issues.

Mar 7, 2025

New SOMO director named as Iraq reshuffles oil sector leadership

Ali Nazar al-Shatari will be Iraq's new head of oil marketing as the Sudani government makes changes across several top oil posts.

Mar 6, 2025

Disputes between Baghdad and IOCs keep northern oil exports offline

One month after Parliament passed legislation designed to help restart the pipeline to Turkey, implementation is mired in old disagreements.

Mar 4, 2025

February oil exports rise as OPEC-plus signals strategy shift

Iraq’s export volumes increased slightly month-on-month though revenues dipped as prices softened.

Feb 25, 2025

January oil output rebounds

After steady declines in the fourth quarter of 2024, the new year started with a rise in production and modest gains in export volumes.