Politics

Iraq grapples with power shortages and Iran sanctions as summer looms

The expiration of a U.S. sanctions waiver on Iranian electricity imports is complicating Baghdad's balancing act between Tehran and Washington, while the government scrambles for power supply ahead of peak demand season.

Workers from the Southern Projects Commission of Iraq's State Company for Oil Projects assemble a pipeline designed to carry regassified LNG imported via the Khor al-Zubair port in Basra to power stations in February 2025. (ALI AL-AQILY/Iraq Oil Report)

Sep 16, 2011

Maliki coalition meets Sadr oil demands

Maliki's political coalition has approved a slate of populist demands issued by Moqtada al-Sadr, underscoring the cleric's growing influence.

Sep 14, 2011

Ministry unveils tough terms for 4th bid round

IOC officials express skepticism as model contract tightens cost-recovery mechanism and gives Oil Ministry the authority to delay production.

Sep 8, 2011

Analysis: Oil law dissent shows cracks in Maliki’s government

The KRG's strident opposition to the Cabinet's draft oil law comes as the prime minister's governing coalition is straining under increasing dissent.

Sep 7, 2011

Iraqi Kurds condemn Baghdad oil law

Accusing Maliki of "authoritarian" and "dictatorial" behavior, Kurdish leaders are moving to undercut the Cabinet's draft oil law and push the Parliament's competing version.

Aug 28, 2011

Iraq Cabinet gives its oil law the green light

In a late Ramadan meeting, Iraq's Council of Ministers approve a draft oil and gas law, warning Parliament against all competing versions.

Aug 25, 2011

Hunt Oil knew KRG oil deal in disputed territory

According to a State Dept. cable from Iraq, and despite the U.S. Embassy's warnings, the oil company of a George W. Bush intelligence adviser signed a Kurdish oil deal knowing the field was in disputed territory.

Aug 24, 2011

Parliament releases official draft oil and INOC laws

The Iraqi legislature is in its Ramadan recess, but the energy committee has made public the official versions of the two key oil laws.

Aug 18, 2011

Parliament oil law creates contract review process

The Iraq oil law proposed by the Parliament creates a politicized board for reviewing old oil contracts and a new council for setting policy, according to the draft obtained by Iraq Oil Report.

Aug 17, 2011

Oil law walkout

The oil law is postponed again, awaiting political deal after Maliki MPs walked out during first reading, saying they needed more time.

Aug 3, 2011

Southern oil provinces vie for autonomy

Citing impatience with the central government, leaders in Iraq’s richest oil provinces have taken early steps towards combining into a semi-autonomous southern region.