Politics

Political disunity clouds KRG fiscal and energy outlooks

Deadlocked talks over forming a new regional Cabinet highlight a bitter rivalry between two ruling parties that poses risks to Kurdistan's economy and energy sector.

PUK President Bafel Talabni (left) meets with KDP President Massoud Barzani (right) on Sept. 27, 2025. (Photo credit: KDP presidency office)

May 29, 2019

Iraq’s North Oil Co. sues to take Khurmala back from KRG

Khurmala Dome accounts for one-third of Iraqi Kurdistan's oil output; the federal North Oil Company, which controlled the field until 2008, is taking legal action to reclaim it.

May 29, 2019

Kurdistan begins government formation despite unresolved divisions

The KRG Parliament elected Nechirvan Barzani president, as the rival PUK party boycotted and questioned his “political legitimacy.”

May 28, 2019

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: May 28, 2019

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

May 24, 2019

Baghdad-Kurdistan oil disputes flare up in Parliament

After a period of detente following the formation of a new government, politicians are raising new complaints about federal budget payments to Kurdistan.

May 23, 2019

Deals in limbo as Oil Ministry fights political headwinds

As populist MPs raise unsubstantiated corruption allegations around oil projects, decision makers are moving cautiously on major initiatives while they beat back political opportunists.

May 21, 2019

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: May 21, 2019

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

May 18, 2019

U.S. warnings spur Exxon evacuation of expats

Production is unaffected and the security situation appears calm as ExxonMobil evacuates dozens of foreign staff from the West Qurna 1 field, following U.S. claims of threats from Iran.

May 16, 2019

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: May 14, 2019

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

May 16, 2019

Iraqi oil industry calm amidst U.S. warnings on Iran

As the U.S. evacuates diplomatic personnel, citing threats from Iran, Iraq's oil sector and its IOC partners maintain status quo.

May 8, 2019

Cabinet endorses SIIP negotiations with Exxon

The Cabinet threw political weight behind the Southern Iraq Integrated Project, injecting momentum into negotiations over a massive infrastructure deal that is critical to Iraq's production and export growth.