Record Heat Sets Off a Cascade of Suffering in Baghdad
An Iraqi woman cools down with water from a hose in Baghdad, on Aug. 1. The Middle East is enduring one of its hottest summers ever, but Iraqis have had Continue Reading
IRAQ DATA: Oil exports fell 2% in July ahead of pledge to meet OPEC+ cuts
Iraq’s oil exports, excluding those from the semi-autonomous Kurdish region, fell 2% in July, the oil ministry said Aug. 1, ahead of OPEC’s second-largest producer’s pledge to reach 100% compliance Continue Reading
Iraq’s power shortages, OPEC+ cuts seen pushing Baghdad closer to Iran
Iraq’s chronic power shortages and its OPEC+ commitment to cut crude output have pushed the country closer to Iran at a time when the US wants to isolate Tehran. OPEC’s Continue Reading
New frontline medical workers want to be paid to fight COVID-19
Iraq’s financial crisis has left the state unable to hire tens of thousands of newly trained medical personnel who could help relieve pressure on a healthcare system struggling to contain Continue Reading
Iraq in talks with Saudi Arabia and Honeywell over Basra mega-deal
Pivoting away from negotiations with ExxonMobil, Iraq is now putting the Ratawi oil field at the center of a prospective upstream, gas, and power deal with Saudi Arabia. Iraqi Oil Continue Reading
Why Iran And China Are Pushing Iraq To Boost Oil Production
There are four key reasons why Iraq is increasing the pace of development on a number of its major oil fields right now. First, it needs the money; second, hitting Continue Reading
Kadhimi aims to reign in border corruption
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has redeployed security forces and replaced senior officials at key border points as part of a high-profile effort to reign in paramilitary groups — including Continue Reading
Two protesters die after clashes with police in Baghdad, medics and security sources say
Clashes between Iraqi protesters and security forces in central Baghdad killed at least two demonstrators overnight, security and medical sources said on Monday. It was the first such deadly incident Continue Reading
New Contract Signals Serious Development Of Iraq’s Huge Nasiriyah Oil Field
The idea of developing the 4.36 billion-barrel Nasiriyah oilfield in southern Iraq’s Dhi Qar province has been seriously mooted by the each of the rapid succession of governments in Iraq Continue Reading
Gharraf field restarts after four months as Petronas team returns
The field will initially target 50,000 bpd – about half the production level it averaged before shutting down amidst the coronavirus pandemic. In mid-July 2019, workers from the state-owned Iraqi Continue Reading
Iraq draws electricity from oil projects to help failing power grid
Iraq has struck deals with oil field operators and state-run companies to augment the national power grid and help stave off further protests prompted by recent blackouts. Significant power outages Continue Reading
Southern Iraq’s Toxic Twilight
Iraq is the rare country that imports gas but also burns natural gas from oil wells into the air. The wasted gas is enough to power 3 million homes. Burning Continue Reading
Iraq Slashes Oil Exports To Comply With OPEC Cuts
Iraq is cutting its oil exports as it seeks to achieve full compliance with its oil production quota under the OPEC+ agreement, Bloomberg has reported , citing unnamed sources from Continue Reading
The Middle East Nation Reopening Its Doors To Iraqi Oil
The resumption of crude oil imports from Iraq by Jordan announced last week by the Kingdom’s Energy Minister, Hala Zawati, will give Baghdad’s (and Tehran’s) beleaguered finances a much-needed boost Continue Reading
Iraq pledges 100% compliance with OPEC+ quota in August: oil minister
Iraq has pledged to reach 100% compliance with its OPEC+ quota in August and make up for overproduction in May and June, as OPEC’s second-largest producer continues to improve its Continue Reading
Saudi Arabia Commends Iraq for Improving OPEC+ Cuts Compliance
Saudi Arabia commended Iraq for implementing almost all its pledged oil-production cuts and Nigeria told the kingdom it was committed to hitting its target, in further signs that disputes among Continue Reading
Protest disrupts Halfaya operations and local power supply
Financial constraints and OPEC cuts led to oil sector layoffs and protests that briefly shut down access to Missan province’s largest field. Workers survey the Halfaya oil field in 2011. Continue Reading
In Iraq; Kadhimi challenges Iran-backed militias
A raid ordered by Iraq’s new prime minister on militiamen accused of planning an attack against Baghdad’s international zone could mark a turning point in his government’s efforts to bring Continue Reading
IRAQ DATA: June crude exports tumble, show progress on OPEC+ compliance
Total exports fall to 3.083 million b/d in June Both federal, Kurdistan exports sharply lower Production may be nearing OPEC+ quota Iraq’s crude oil exports, including from the Kurdistan region, Continue Reading
Coronavirus and sanctions hit Iran’s support of proxies in Iraq
Iran’s financial and military support for Shi’ite proxy paramilitary groups in Iraq, a linchpin of its regional foreign policy, has been dramatically disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic and U.S. sanctions, Continue Reading
Tribal conflicts escalate in Iraq’s oil heartland
Tribal conflicts in southern Iraq have become more frequent and deadly in recent months, as security forces have been hamstrung by local power structures and distracted by the coronavirus lockdown. Continue Reading
Iraq Looks To Lure Saudi Investment As It Tries To Comply With OPEC+ Deal
Iraq is looking to attract investment from Saudi Arabia in one of its natural gas fields, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Ali Allawi, told Bloomberg , while OPEC’s Continue Reading
IRAQ DATA: Oil exports fall 12% in June after pledge of better OPEC+ compliance
Iraq’s oil exports, excluding those from the semi-autonomous Kurdish region, fell 12% in June, the oil ministry said July 1, a sign that OPEC’s second-largest producer improved its compliance with Continue Reading
Saudi money, US pressure coaxes Iraq on OPEC oil cut compliance
After years of dragging its feet on complying with OPEC oil production quotas, Iraq has taken its biggest steps towards implementing its agreed output cuts, as a campaign of financial Continue Reading
Iraq Set To Fall Short Of Ambitious OPEC+ Targets
Iraq produced more than 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) above its target output level in May and is now being asked to make up for its non-compliance in future months Continue Reading
Parliament passes $18 billion emergency financing law
Iraq’s Parliament has passed a law authorizing new borrowing of nearly $18 billion – an emergency measure that will enable the government to pay public-sector salaries despite a dire financial Continue Reading
Iraq Considers A String Of Massive Oil Deals With China
Iran is pressing Iraq to expand its already game-changing oil and gas infrastructure deal with China. Tehran is looking to include Iraq in the Sino-Russian power bloc in order to Continue Reading
Iraq raises estimates for May oil income, crude export price
Iraq has raised estimates for its oil income and export prices for May, the oil ministry said on June 24, as OPEC’s second-largest producer benefits from the uptick in global Continue Reading
Iraq expects higher crude revenue in July, selling oil at $34-$35/b: report
Iraq expects higher crude revenues in July and is currently selling its oil at around $34-$35/b, the al-Mirbad news organization quoted the oil minister as saying on June 22. Iraq Continue Reading
Iraq coronavirus outbreak: Hospitals become nexus of infection
On the front lines, Iraq’s doctors are contracting the coronavirus by the hundreds, as a rising wave of infections threatens to crush the country’s health-care system. Medical staff who develop Continue Reading
Spiking pandemic hits Iraqi oil sector and security forces
The widening scale of the coronavirus pandemic in Iraq is causing new disruptions to oil sector operations and is hurting the ability of security forces to respond to an intensifying insurgency. Continue Reading
Iraq to boost power generation, restart solar tender amid US pressure on Iran imports
Iraq suffers power shortages, capacity at 16.77 GW Solar tender for 755 MW restarted Iraq recently signed two-year contract to import Iranian electricity Iraq plans to increase its generating capacity Continue Reading
Is Iraq Finally Complying With The OPEC+ Oil Output Deal?
OPEC’s second-largest producer, Iraq, which is also the least compliant member of OPEC+, has made significant cuts in its crude oil exports so far in June, in a move suggesting Continue Reading
Kirkuk oil guards suffer payment delays as security risks grow
Iraq’s state-run North Oil Company (NOC) has fallen two months behind in paying hundreds of local residents contracted to guard oil wells in the Kirkuk area, potentially compounding the threats Continue Reading
Iraq Calls On Foreign Oil Companies To Cut Production
Iraq’s government has approached international oil companies operating some of its largest oilfields to reduce production further and they have agreed, Reuters reports , citing an unnamed source from the Continue Reading
Iraq questions fairness, but closes in on OPEC-plus target
Production cuts and falling exports move Iraq closer to OPEC-plus quota compliance. Flares burn at the North Rumaila oil field on June 6, 2020. (JASSIM AL-JABIRI/Iraq Oil Report) BASRA – Continue Reading
In Iraq, a New Prime Minister Takes Stock of His Bloodied Land
From the moment Iraq’s new prime minister stepped off the Iraqi Army MI-17 helicopter for a tour of Mosul, the city most damaged by the Islamic State’s takeover in 2014, Continue Reading
Iraq Asks BP to Cut Rumaila Flow 10%
Iraq has asked BP Plc to cut crude production at the nation’s biggest field of Rumaila by 10% as part of a push to comply with OPEC+ quotas, according to a Continue Reading
Iraq to export 2.8 mil b/d crude in June, commits to OPEC+ cuts: minister
Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest oil producer, expects to export 2.8 million b/d of crude oil in June as it seeks to firmly commit to the OPEC+ cuts after it failed to Continue Reading
Despite big cuts, Iraq fails to meet OPEC quota
Major reductions totaling almost 200,000 bpd were not nearly enough to bring Iraq’s May production in line with an OPEC-plus agreement. Workers from the Iraqi Drilling Company begin drilling a Continue Reading
Iraq, U.S. affirm commitment to U.S. troop withdrawal: state media
Iraq and the United States have affirmed their commitment to the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq without giving a timeline, state news agency INA said on Friday, citing Iraq’s Continue Reading
Low prices and payment delays reverse two-year expansion of Kurdistan’s oil sector
Oil production in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region has fallen 10 percent so far this year, as oil companies respond to shrinking cash flows by reducing capital expenditures and laying off Continue Reading
ISIS Attacks Surge in Iraq Amid Debate on U.S. Troop Levels
The assailants came at dusk, creeping on foot through the dusty palm groves near the Tigris River, armed only with a rocket-propelled grenade, a light machine gun and Kalashnikovs. They Continue Reading
The Energy Deal Putting Iraq’s $55 Billion Oil Project At Risk
Since firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr became the effective leader of Iraq after the victory of his ‘Sairoon’ (‘Marching Forward’) power bloc in the May 2018 general elections, the practical application Continue Reading
Is OPEC’s No.2 Finally Complying With Output Cuts?
OPEC’s second-largest producer, Iraq, which also happens to be the least compliant member of OPEC+ since the group started managing supply to the market in 2017, may have finally started Continue Reading
Iraq’s new oil minister affirms commitment to OPEC+ deal
Iraq’s new oil minister affirmed the country’s commitment to the OPEC+ deal in a phone call with the Saudi energy minister after failing to comply in the first month of Continue Reading
IRAQ DATA: May crude oil production 4.213 million b/d, well above OPEC+ quota
Iraq on June 7 reported its May crude oil production was 4.213 million b/d, well above its OPEC+ quota, one day after it agreed to improve its compliance with historic Continue Reading
Iraq parliament approves Basra Oil Company head as new oil minister
Iraqi lawmakers on June 6 confirmed the appointment of Ihsan Ismael as the country’s new oil minister, according to local media. Receive daily email alerts, subscriber notes & personalize your Continue Reading
Iraq reiterates commitment to OPEC+, but seeks new future rules: finance minister
Iraq wants OPEC+ to take into consideration the economic and living conditions of countries when assigning quotas in oil production cuts, the country’s finance minister said, as OPEC’s second-largest oil Continue Reading
Parliament approves Ihsan Ismaael, Fuad Hussein, and rest of Iraqi Cabinet
PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi has completed his 22-minister government, can focus on financial crisis and rising pandemic cases. Newly appointed Finance Minister Ali Allawi (left) formally takes over the portfolio from Continue Reading