Iraq Oil Report publishes the full English texts of the two competing oil laws drafted by the Cabinet and the Parliament.
A review of the Cabinet's proposed oil law shows the Maliki administration is angling to keep control centralized in the Oil Ministry.
Parliament's top oil policymaker outlined his vision for the oil sector, advocating for legislation that would check the Cabinet's power.
The Kurdistan region says the North Oil Company can't keep the export line running, but Baghdad says all is well, and a dispute some thought was over is starting again.
Maliki's political coalition has approved a slate of populist demands issued by Moqtada al-Sadr, underscoring the cleric's growing influence.
IOC officials express skepticism as model contract tightens cost-recovery mechanism and gives Oil Ministry the authority to delay production.
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.
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.
In a late Ramadan meeting, Iraq's Council of Ministers approve a draft oil and gas law, warning Parliament against all competing versions.
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.
