Iraq needs a positive impetus to leave behind the travails of 2019 – the widespread demonstrations, the geopolitical flare-up engendered by the assassination of Major General Soleimani in Baghdad, the fall of the Abdul-Mahdi government – and demonstrable success upstream might provide a new narrative for the embattled country’s oil industry. Cognizant of this (and of all the pressure Baghdad is going to face at the OPEC+ meeting soon for its notorious non-compliance), the new Iraqi government has approved the results of the 2018 licensing round, allocating 6 blocks to prospecting investors. And yes, one would have great trouble finding any majors on the list. In April 2018 the Iraqi authorities have awarded 6 licenses (out of the 11 available) to Chinese firms United Energy and Geo-Jade, as well as the UAE-based Crescent Petroleum. Having only recently shook itself free from the scourge of the Islamic State and still […]