Dispute over labor law, attacks on workers, mark ongoing tension between Iraqi oil workers and the government.
Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani talks to Iraq Oil Report about what the recently signed oil deals means for Iraq, and what is left to do before KRG oil deals get the green light.
Appeal court recommends to electoral commission that more than 500 candidates be allowed to stand in March 7 elections. Candidates' jubilation is tempered by others' suspicion of American interference.
Lawsuit challenging fundamentals of international oil deals is accepted by judge, and a hearing scheduled for next month.
Iraqi Kurdistan oil minister says Baghdad must pay foreign oil firms invested in northern fields before exports will restart.
Shahristani, in press conference at communications college, says elections will determine his future as Oil Minister, and talks Fakka, KRG contracts, and corruption.
Iraq Oil Report sheds light on the federal court challenge to BP's contract for Rumaila with the documents filed by the Oil Ministry and MP Musawi in recent hearings.
Iraq Oil Report has learned that at least four of Iraq's oil technocrat elite have been retired, though it appears to be based purely on age, not controversy as originally believed.
Workers say the popular Manna al-Obeidi should be replaced by someone born in Kirkuk, though the ministry claims his deputy is the right man for the job. Both are beyond the mandatory retirement age.
Iraqi NGOs will have to be an active member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative for it to be successful, but worry they won't get a meaningul seat at the table.
