Politics

Analysis: Iraqi elections approach, with high stakes for energy sector

Political insiders weigh in on potential election outcomes and their implications for the country’s investment climate.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (center) and Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghani (right) attend a ceremony to mark the opening of a 50 MW power plant at the Baiji refinery on Aug. 2, 2025. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry media office)

Mar 6, 2025

Disputes between Baghdad and IOCs keep northern oil exports offline

One month after Parliament passed legislation designed to help restart the pipeline to Turkey, implementation is mired in old disagreements.

Feb 20, 2025

New Syria oil trade begins, despite political volatility

Syria's autonomous Kurdish-led enclave has revived an energy trade supplying oil and gas to territory controlled by the transitional government in Damascus.

Feb 13, 2025

Baghdad court ends Oil Ministry challenge to KRG oil contracts

Kurdistan's oil companies cemented a legal victory as the final avenue for appeal has closed.

Feb 3, 2025

Budget amendment takes Iraq one step toward northern export restart

Parliament passed an amendment to the national budget law designed to pay oil companies in Kurdistan and unlock pipeline exports to Turkey.

Jan 24, 2025

Rising budget controversy endangers northern export restart

A compromise measure to pay Kurdistan's oil contractors and unlock Iraq's northern oil export route has met major political opposition.

Jan 2, 2025

Iraq-Iran fuel oil barter deal pays down debt backlog

Iraq has been transferring large volumes of high-sulfur fuel oil to Iranian traders in a deal to help resolve energy import debts.

Dec 24, 2024

Iraq braces for change after Syria upheaval

Leaders across the political spectrum in Baghdad foresee new security threats, shifting political dynamics, and impacts on energy trade.

Dec 21, 2024

Baghdad court rejects Oil Ministry effort to invalidate KRG oil contracts

The Karkh Court of Appeals has denied an Oil Ministry appeal and reversed a series of 2022 rulings that declared several KRG oil contracts void.

Dec 10, 2024

Iraqi leaders anticipate renewed uncertainty from second Trump administration

The revival of a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran is likely to extend into Iraq, with implications for domestic politics, banking, and the oil sector.

Dec 10, 2024

Parliament goes into recess without passing KRG oil amendment

Budget legislation that could have helped restart Iraq’s northern crude exports is delayed until at least January.