Politics

Maarij arrested in widening corruption crackdown

A second deputy oil minister has been ensnared in an expanding operation that has also taken down several MPs, with potential to reshape Iraq's political power balance.

Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghani (left) meets with Deputy Minister Ali Maarij at the Oil Ministry in Baghdad on Oct. 21, 2024. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

Aug 3, 2022

Political upheaval in Baghdad reverberates across oil sector

In the increasingly chaotic struggle to form a new government, Iraq's oil sector has been both a political battleground and a victim of dysfunctional governance.

Aug 2, 2022

KRG shifts legal tactics as Baghdad court delays further rulings

Oil Ministry lawsuits against three IOCs operating in Kurdistan remain undecided as a KRG lawyer asks to join the proceedings as a third party.

Aug 1, 2022

Iraq enforces KRG blacklist policy against four oil service companies

Weatherford and three other companies with subcontracts in Kurdistan are barred from work in southern Iraq, as Baghdad continues campaign to reverse KRG oil sector independence.

Jul 11, 2022

UPDATE: Iraq-Turkey arbitration ruling nears, with Kurdistan’s oil independence in the balance

The eight-year-old case, likely to be decided within the coming months, could give Baghdad major leverage in its campaign to end the KRG's oil sector independence and open a door to negotiate water rights with Turkey.

Jul 6, 2022

Court postpones hearing on Gulf Keystone contract with KRG

Days after declaring four of Kurdistan's oil contracts to be invalid, Baghdad court schedules a hearing on three others for July 17.

Jul 4, 2022

Baghdad court declares four KRG oil contracts void

Secretive ruling marks escalation in Oil Ministry campaign to end Kurdistan's oil sector independence.

Jul 4, 2022

Baghdad court rejects Kurdistan’s delay tactics in lawsuit against IOCs

The Oil Ministry’s lawsuit against seven oil companies operating in Kurdistan gained momentum as a Baghdad judge moves toward reviewing contracts.

Jun 29, 2022

Halliburton pledges to obey blacklist policy against KRG oil sector

Three major U.S. oil services companies have now told the Oil Ministry they will comply with new restrictions stemming from February's landmark court ruling against Kurdistan.

Jun 28, 2022

Oil services companies bow to Baghdad blacklist

Oil Ministry pressure tactics are beginning to inflict pain in the wake of the Federal Supreme Court's landmark ruling against Kurdistan's energy sector.

Jun 23, 2022

Erbil court postpones case against Oil Ministry leaders

Defending its oil sector independence, the KRG has so far succeeded at entangling Baghdad's legal offensive in procedural delays.