Politics

Northern exports stalled by Baghdad-Erbil disputes

With southern oil exports choked off by war, Baghdad cannot use its only backup pipeline route because of a fight with the KRG over customs revenue control.

Oil tanks at Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, which is run by state-owned Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS). (UMIT BEKTAS/Reuters)

Oct 25, 2007

Iraq’s oil flowing to Turkey still, but bad signs linger in the north and south of Iraq

Oil continues to flow from Kirkuk to Turkey, despite Kurdish separatist threats to blow it up as a tactic against Turkey, Simon Webb reports for Reuters. Iraq was pumping around 400,000 barrels per day of Kirkuk crude to Turkey on Thursday for the seventh consecutive day, the shipper said. "The flow is about 18,000 barrels […]

Oct 23, 2007

Two months before a breakdown in Iraqi politics over oil law, other issues

Iraq’s government spokesman, Dr. Ali al-Dabbagh, detailed the struggles the Iraqi government faces during a speech Monday at the U.S. Institute of Peace. His focus was on the Turkish issue, Iranian influence, and militia and insurgent activity. On the oil law, he said there are a number of technical points to be ironed out, but […]

Oct 22, 2007

Fears of Iraq oil loss because of Turkish invasion misguided

Turkey’s invasion will likely be precise and direct in targeting the separatist Kurdistan Workers’ Party in northern Iraq, far enough from Iraq’s oil fields and pipelines. But the fallout could go many directions – from very slight to erupting in the region and putting both Iraq’s and Turkey’s oil sector -- vital to the world […]

Oct 19, 2007

Markey wants White House to answer questions on Hunt Oil deal

The White House is now being queried on the connections to Ray Hunt, head of Hunt Oil Corp., regarding the companies deal with Iraq’s Kurdistan government. Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., has sent a letter raising concerns over Hunt’s role on the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. Markey wants answers to 13 questions on Hunt’s role […]

Oct 15, 2007

House Oversight Committee Wants Answers from Hunt Oil, State Dept.

Reps. Henry Waxman, chair of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Subcommittee on Domestic Policy chair Dennis Kucinich have sent a letter to Ray Hunt, the CEO, and Ambassador Ryan Crocker demanding answers to questions regarding the September deal between Hunt Oil and the Kurdistan Regional Government. Specifically, the Committee wants to know […]

Oct 12, 2007

Hunt Oil talked to State Dept. prior to signing KRG deal, contrary to prior statements

A representative from Dallas-based Hunt Oil Corp. did talk with the U.S. State Department prior to signing a controversial oil deal with Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government, according to an internal department communication obtained by United Press International.Hunt Oil, whose chief executive officer is connected to the Bush administration by campaign donations and a seat on […]

Oct 10, 2007

Iraq’s Kurds to international oil firms: ‘now or never’

The Kurdistan Regional Government, is offering the global oil industry its first and, so far, only chance at entering the Iraqi crude sector. Despite anger in Baghdad, the KRG plans to sign even more controversial oil deals and is waving the "For Sale" sign proudly. "We have many opportunities to excite you," KRG Natural Resources […]

Oct 9, 2007

Politics on the mind as Turkey threatens invasion, while Big Oil decides on waiting for Baghdad

Turkey is being pressed to respond to an increase in Kurdish rebel attacks by invading Iraq, where the rebels are allegedly holing up. More after the energy-related news. Meanwhile, Lionel Laurent writes for Forbes.com that the small oil firms are making their mark in Iraq and Big Oil is betting on Baghdad. He asks, Is […]

Oct 4, 2007

Iraqi Kurd oil deals continue to make headlines while the export of the oil may be tricky

The rest of the U.S. and global media have now picked up on my story for UPI from Tuesday on the four new approved and two already signed production sharing contracts with foreign firms. Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government made a sudden but not unexpected announcement Tuesday it had signed four more controversial oil deals. While […]

Oct 3, 2007

Congress wants answers on Hunt deal while its CEO denies any State Dept. conversation

Rep. Edward Markey has demanded answers to 12 questions from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. In a letter Tuesday, he said the Hunt Oil-Kurdistan Regional Government deal is sketchy and hurts the U.S. agenda in Iraq. Bob Davis, Chip Cummins and Neil King Jr. report for the Wall Street Journal that Hunt CEO Ray Hunt […]