Archive | 2015

Religious Construction 'More Efficient' than Govt Projects

This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Less Corruption, Less Money: In Iraq, Religious Construction Faster, More Efficient Than Government Projects Tourists coming to visit Karbala and Najaf can stop at one of the “visitor cities” built […]

Airstrikes Haven’t Interrupted IS Oil Trade

By John Lee. Coalition airstrikes have failed to interrupt the oil industry in areas controlled by the Islamic State group (IS, ISIS, ISIL), reports the Financial Times. IS is running what the article describes as “a sprawling operation almost akin to a state oil company that has grown in size and expertise despite international attempts […]

Neglect eats away Historical City of Uruk

By Adnan Abu Zeed for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The current situation of archaeological sites in Iraq is saddening. These sites are neglected, abandoned, lack organized protection, and are covered by sand and exposed to tampering by modernists and thieves. Al-Monitor visited the […]

South Africa Eyes Crude Oil from Iraq

By John Lee. South Africa's Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) wants to import 24 million barrels of oil a year from Iraq to boost its reserves, according to a report from Reuters. The country has not imported crude oil from Iraq since 2003, when Saddam Hussein was toppled. In August, South Africa's largest black-owned petrochemical company, […]

Iraq claims to have Re-taken Baiji Refinery

By John Lee. Iraqi security forces claimed on Thursday to have taken control of most of Baiji oil refinery from the Islamic State group (IS, ISIS, ISIL). But the complex is reported to have been almost completely destroyed in the long battle for control of the site and nearly town. According to Reuters, conservative estimates […]

Former Minister Charged with Corruption

By John Lee. Iraq's Commission of Integrity has reportedly issued an arrest warrant for a number of Iraqi government officials, including the former minister of electricity Karim Aftan al-Jumaili, on corruption charges. Accoring to BasNews, former Member of Iraqi Parliament Odai Awad had previously accused al-Jumaili of 27 cases of corruption. Jumaili was appointed as Minister […]

Video: Political Tensions Rise in Kurdistan Region

From Iran’s PressTV. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The political crisis in Iraq’s Kurdistan region has deepened after the Kurdistan Democratic Party sacked five ministers from the rival Goran movement. The move is likely to worsen two months of presidential dispute […]

U.S., Coalition Airstrikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported on Thursday. Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Airstrikes in Syria Remotely piloted and […]

GKP Rises following New Payment

Shares in Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) traded up almost 10 percent in early trading on Thursday, after the company confirmed that a gross payment of US$15 million (US$12 million net to Gulf Keystone) for Shaikan crude oil exports had been received. This October 2015 payment follows a similar payment in September 2015 and is in […]

Sepil Retires from Genel Energy

Genel Energy has announced that company President Mehmet Sepil (pictured) has retired with immediate effect. Mehmet Sepil founded Genel Energy and was CEO from 2002 until the merger with Vallares PLC in 2011, when he became President of the Company. Tony Hayward, Chairman of Genel, said: "The history of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq's oil […]

Kuwait may Import Gas from Iraq

By John Lee. The Chief Executive of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) has said that his company has conducted negotiations with both Iran and Iraq to import gas. Nizar Al-Adsani (pictured) said in a statement: "Kuwait is in need of gas for power plants ... [but] up until now we have not agreed on the […]

Diyala and Salahuddin Reconstruction to cost $1.3bn

By John Lee. The chairman of the Fund for Areas Affected by Terrorist Operations in Iraq, Abdel-Basit Turki [Abdel Basset Turki], has said that the cost of rebuilding the provinces of Diyala and Salahuddin is expected to reach $1.28 billion (1.5 trillion Iraqi dinars). He said that the reconstruction fund currently has only $350 million, […]