New directors general named for the state-run companies responsible for refining in southern Iraq and gas in northern Iraq.

For the first time in over eight months, the KRG is making a pipeline export payment to producing companies.

KRG independent oil exports fell by more than 20 percent in August, to 391,000 barrels per day (bpd), due to pipeline outages in Turkey.

Technical problems, sabotage and political disputes caused exports to fall slightly, and revenue fell steeply along with a drop in the price of oil.

One worker was killed and four others suffered life-threatening burns when a pipeline exploded Wednesday at the Najibiyah power plant in Basra.

A change in leadership at the state-run company appears to be part of a government overhaul prompted by a national protest movement.

With independent oil sales hitting record highs, Kurdistan promises payments to cash-starved IOCs – but pipeline attacks cast a cloud of uncertainty.