Politics

Baghdad-KRG stalemate continues over oil disputes

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

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (center) chairs a Cabinet meeting on July 8, 2025. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Dec 5, 2007

Baghdad targets KRG deals … Oil law “irreconcilable” … Law vs. security for int’l oil companies … and much more

The leader of one of the most powerful Iraqi political parties said "good progress" has been made on the oil law, though he was short on details. … The oil law, however, is stuck in Parliament's energy committee and a resolution between the central government and Kurdistan appears far away. When asked to explain "good […]

Dec 4, 2007

Iraqi Kurd oil minister and U.S. energy secretary met in Washington

The U.S. energy secretary "encouraged" the visiting Iraqi Kurdish region's oil minister to work with Shiite and Sunni Iraqis on a national oil law. The Kurdistan Regional Government's oil minister and the deputy prime minister also met with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and other political and business officials during their two-week visit to Washington. […]

Dec 3, 2007

Back to Baghdad: KRG to answer oil deal questions in front of Parliament

This week appears to be a buzz in Baghdad with KRG passing up meetings with oil officials in Texas to be there. The oil minister of Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government cut short his U.S. visit to head to Baghdad, where Parliament this week is to question him on the 20 oil deals the KRG has […]

Nov 30, 2007

Leader of Iraq oil workers says Iraqis can increase production, with limited help from outsider if need be, but Baghdad refuses to spend the capital …

The leader of Iraq's oil workers, attending an anti-war conference here, says Iraq could be producing more oil by investing its own money, without an oil law or large scale foreign oil company involvement. "National expertise and resources are capable of enhancing production in the oil industry," Hassan Jumaa Awad, president of the umbrella Iraqi […]

Nov 29, 2007

Iraq Parliament “takes on” KRG deals … Virtual Iraq Oil Contracts … No Civilians in Iraq … New Report: Iraq’s Refugee Crisis

The KRG oil deals controversy is being raised in Parliament, the Associated Press reports. There is likely little to be done outside of a back room settlement to the dispute. And that’s very unlikely. The Kurdistan Alliance is a necessary component of the current coalition government that is holding on by a thread. The KA […]

Nov 27, 2007

Showdown: Baghdad vs. Irbil … Iraqi Kurds’ Oil Prerogatives … and more ….

*The Kurdish oil minister speaks his mind. *Shahristani: Kurds used military to prevent oil development by Baghdad *Kurds self sufficient and producing 1 million barrels in five years Iraqi Kurdistan's oil minister, Ashti Hawrami, begins his U.S. tour of political and business leaders from Washington to Texas a hot item with international oil companies, but […]

Nov 26, 2007

Oil makes the politics go round … Iraq’s political situation further fracturing … Bush and Maliki, best friends forever …

Iraq Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani has gone beyond simply calling the Kurdistan Regional Government’s oil deals "illegal." He has now reportedly "nullified" the dozens of contracts with international oil companies, AFP reports. Of course, political logistics are another matter. There’s only so much the Kurds need to take, considering without them the coalition government Shahristani […]

Nov 20, 2007

Iraqi Kurds vs. Baghdad heats up over oil deals … Kirkuk vote unclear … Unspinning the Surge … Remembering Basra

Iraqi Kurds issued a scathing rebuke of Iraq's oil minister, who has warned companies signing deals in the north will be kept out of the rest of the country. "Our contracts with the (international oil companies) are both constitutional and legal within the framework of the Kurdistan Oil and Gas Law, the only existing framework […]

Nov 16, 2007

Shahristani all for non-”opportunist” oil firms … Iraq production up in north and south … Forgotten Halabja survivors

Oil companies are welcome to Iraq, Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani said, except for the "opportunist" firms already in Iraqi Kurd territory -- Ben Lando for United Press International. Iraq is producing nearly 2.5 million barrels per day, a giant step forward, as the security situation improves, its oil minister said -- Ben Lando for UPI. […]

Nov 15, 2007

Shahristani on KRG deals … billions to boost production … Iraq gas for Nabucco … Electricity hunt

(Note to readers: Iraq Oil Report this week will continue to be the fully packed but contextually abridged version as the OPEC Summit in Riyadh cares not for the tired and overworked. Enjoy!) Also, click HERE to get an e-mail notification when the Iraq Oil Report is updated. Iraq’s Oil In a move that could […]