Politics

New hope for Baghdad-KRG oil and budget deal

Federal financial transfer signals political will to implement an agreement that could result in re-starting northern oil exports, though further hurdles remain.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (right) hosts Massoud Barzani, the president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, in Baghdad on July 3, 2024. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Jul 22, 2025

Turkey signals end of Iraq-Turkey Pipeline treaty

The agreement will now expire in July 2026, raising new questions about the future of oil exports from northern Iraq and the Kurdistan region.

Jul 17, 2025

Cabinet approves revived plan for re-starting northern exports

A new deal for oil and budget cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil faces significant challenges to implementation, including crippling attacks on Kurdistan's oil sector.

Jul 16, 2025

Kurdistan oil sector under attack

Drones struck Tawke and Ain Sifni on Wednesday, marking three consecutive days of attacks on Kurdistan oil fields.

Jul 15, 2025

Drones strike Kurdistan oil fields

Attack on HKN-operated Sarsang field coincides with the company's signing of a preliminary upstream deal with the federal Oil Ministry.

Jul 14, 2025

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

Longtime energy MP talks about U.S. pressure on Baghdad and Erbil, the blame he places on KRG oil tactics, and the upside of the sitting oil minister entering elections.

Jul 9, 2025

Baghdad-KRG stalemate continues over oil disputes

Budget transfers to Kurdistan have been frozen since May as negotiations to restart oil exports falter.

Jun 23, 2025

Iraqi oil sector weathers Iran conflict

Production and exports have not suffered major interruptions so far, but exodus of foreign oil workers and border closures highlight risks of disruption.

May 30, 2025

Baghdad threatens to choke off KRG funding

Political tensions skyrocket after recently announced gas deals, resulting in legal challenges and threats to Kurdistan's budget.

May 21, 2025

New KRG gas deals draw condemnation from Baghdad

U.S. firms HKN and WesternZagros have signed agreements for upstream gas development at the Miran and Topkhana fields.

May 1, 2025

BP deal aims to revamp Kirkuk energy sector

Iraq is once again leveraging upstream development to finance gas and power projects.

Apr 23, 2025

Iraq terminates Akkas contract, drawing legal threats

Cabinet taps state-run Midland Oil Company as operator for fast-track gas field development with help from SLB, but contentious ouster of Ukrzemresurs could spark litigation.