Many residents of southern Iraq's marshes worry that their way of life will end when new oil production begins in the coming years.
The marshes of southern Iraq are the staging ground for a contentious battle between residents and oil stakeholders over the fate of the fragile and oil-rich ecosystem.
The western province wants the prospective gas field to be fed directly to local refineries and power plants, allowing exports only of refined products. Or else.
Anbar Gov. Qasim Abid talks about building whole new cities, taking on the insurgents who blew off his arm, and opposing Baghdad's plans to export natural gas from the province.
Despite statements by a prominent Iranian oil official, Tehran has not hardened its policy on border oil fields and negotiations with Iraq are continuing.
Statement from government doesn't disclose numbers, but says Finance Ministry to start audit of companies to determine payments.
Ex-PM Allawi, leader of the top vote-getting Iraqiya list in the disputed March national elections, rails on an absence of clear policy on oil issues in sit-down with Iraq Oil Report.
Kurdistan oil minister discounts Shahristani statement as old news, temporary agreement; says agreement to pay the contractors means nothing until finance ministry and cabinet approve plan.
Unilateral development of oil and gas fields near or crossing international borders have been the cause of war in Iraq. Officials are signing deals with foreign firms anyway, while they continue talks with Iran and Kuwait.
Lawsuit to topple BP and CNPC's oil deal will continue, as former member of parliament sets to kick off major fundraising campaign and claims allegiance of top Maliki opponents.
