Kurdish independence group claims an attack in Turkish territory on the Iraq-Turkey pipeline is response to unresolved and escalating tension.
Despite ongoing efforts to improve security, Iraq's northern oil export pipeline still suffers from attacks and well organized smuggling operations.
International and Iraqi state companies say tribes in Dhi Qar province are making demands and threats that amount to extortion.
Initial report that weapons were found on a key oil field spread concerns of threats to massive planned investment, though industry official says it is used to operating in tough places.
No arrests have been made but police say increased intelligence and technical monitoring helped plug a smuggling hole in a vital pipeline.
It took only four days for the oil ministry to repair the bombed pipeline near Mosul. While the number of energy-sector attacks has dropped in recent months, technicians could be busy if violence escalates as it threatens to.
Iraq's Oil Police require more money, equipment and members as U.S. forces, now in training mode, prepare for end-'11 departure. Oil Police official acknowledges gap but pledges to do best with what he's given.
Most of Iraq's border oil fields contain landmines left from previous wars, but must be removed to boost production.
Iraq's young navy and marines and their American and British counterparts are in a race against time to ensure the safety of the country's most important piece of infrastructure, the al-Basra Oil Terminal.
A civilian contractor has disappeared in Baghdad and now appears to feature in a militant group's video, raising fears that kidnap tactics may return to Iraq
