No moves on Iraq oil law in KRG-Baghdad talks

Apologies to readers: over the past week regular updates have been delayed as Iraq Oil Report puts the finishing touches on a re-launch and brand new website. It is an exciting time and we think the new design and content distribution will help deliver exactly what you want…but even better. Stay tuned as the new site is only weeks away.

A source tells Iraq Oil Report a meeting Nov. 15 between Iraq’s central and Kurdistan region government leaders did not lead to any breakthrough on the standoff over Iraq’s oil law and the dispute over the central government and KRG’s oil deals. The meeting was overshadowed by the Status Of Forces Agreement as well as the consideration of making clarifications and other changes to the Constitution. The latter is considered necessary to clarify the broad, vague language in the Constitution, passed in 2005. That could settle many of the disputes over jurisdiction of the oil strategy, but is highly controversial as both sides have been invested in passing new legislation instead of amending the Constitution. However, the source says Parliament will take up the oil law regardless.