The current political tensions in Iraq are likely to delay the finalisation of a new hydrocarbon law for more than a year, according to Reuters.
"With these chronic political differences I can’t see any possibility of having an oil law this year,” said Adel Barwari, a Kurdish adviser to Maliki.
“If the [differences] were, say for example, 2 or 3 percent, I would say yes we could have a law, but the percentage is much higher.”
(Source: Reuters)
....on the other side: http://thecurrencynewshound.com/2012/01/31/reuters-iraq-parliament-could-see-new-draft-oil-law-in-feb/#more-47128
Is Reuters to trust?