Archive | 2012

Khor Mor Production Reaches 80,000 bpd

Investment almost $1 billion - highest foreign investment in Iraqi oil and gas sector Total 67 million barrels produced since 2008 – highest by private sector in Iraq Project achieves government fuel cost savings of $5.4 billion Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum, in their capacity as joint operator of the Khor Mor field, have announced […]

Oil Exports Pipeline Completed in Basra

By John Lee. Iraq's South Oil Company has announced the completion of new pipeline network connecting its sites in North West Basra and the floating piers in the Fao [Faw] area, south of the province. Director General Dhia al-Mussawi told Aswat al-Iraq that the new pipelines will pump oil from storage in Tuba to the […]

UK Boosts Diplomatic Presence in Baghdad, Erbil

By John Lee. As part of a review of the United Kingdom's diplomatic engagement with Iraq, which included the announcement today that the country's consulate in Basra is to close, the UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, William Hague (pictured), has announced increased resources for the embassy in Baghdad and the consulate […]

Video: Iraq Limits Number of Syrian Refugees

Thousands of Syrians are fleeing the conflict at home to take refuge in neighbouring countries. Jordan has announced it will open a second camp meaning as many as 250,000 refugees could be held in the country. But Iraq, another Syrian neighbour , is now limiting the numbers coming over the border saying it lacks the […]

LUKoil says no Approach from Iraq on West Qurna-1

Russia's LUKoil said on Tuesday that Iraq has not asked it to replace Exxon Mobil at the West Qurna-1 oilfield. Nefte Compass said last week that Iraq was considering replacing Exxon with either Russia's LUKoil and Gazprom Neft, but LUKoil Vice President Leonid Fedun (pictured) told Reuters: "No one has offered us West Qurna-1 ... […]

GKP Sued by Ex-Soldier over Iraq Oil Rights

By John Lee. Todd Kozel (pictured), Gulf Keystone's Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, should not be considered a credible witness, a lawyer for Excalibur Ventures said at the opening day of a trial in London. Excalibur is suing the oil explorer for a 30 percent stake of the assets under a collaboration agreement, which according […]

Core Inflation Increases to 5.2%

By John Lee. Iraq's core inflation rate rose to 5.2 percent year-on-year in September, up from 5 percent year-on-year in August. Speaking to Reuters on Tuesday, Mudher Kasim [Mudher Saleh], deputy governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), blamed the increase on higher food prices and the start of the school year. Core inflation strips […]

Iraqi Dinar Exchange Rate Manipulated?

By John Lee. Investigators in Iraq have opened an inquiry into alleged manipulation of the exchange rate between the Iraqi dinar (IQD) and the US dollar, and arrest warrants have reportedly been issued for several officials including the head of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI). Hassan Karim Aati, spokesman for the Commission on Integrity, […]

Trade Bank of Iraq Doubles Capital

By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet has agreed to double the capital of state-owned Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI) to one trillion Iraqi dinars [$858 million], according to a report from Bloomberg Baghdad-based TBI is under investigation for alleged irregularities, and an arrest warrant has been issued for its former president and chairman, Hussein al-Uzri. […]

Frazer-Nash to Support Rumaila Modernisation

By John Lee. Engineering technology specialist Frazer-Nash Consultancy has been selected by BP Iraq, via the Rumaila Operating Organisation (ROO), to provide technical assurance during a fitness-for-service (FFS) assessment programme of the giant oilfield's pressure vessels and associated equipment, reports OilVoice. In addition Frazer-Nash has also been asked to assist in the development of a […]

Missan Oil Company to Drill 80 New Wells

By John Lee. The Missan Oil Company, Iraq’s third-largest state-owned oil company, plans to drill 80 new wells in the southeastern region, its director general, Ali Muarej, told Bloomberg. The plan is to boost crude oil output from its current level of 200,000 bpd to as much as 300,000 bpd next year. Half of Missan's production is […]