Author Archive | Editor

Petroceltic Shares Slump, CEO Increases Stake

By John Lee. Dragon Oil said on Monday that it was backing out of plans to make an offer of 230 pence a share for Irish operator Petroceltic, which has interests in Iraqi Kurdistan. Shares in Petroceltic closed down 35 percent at 112.45 pence on Monday, 50 percent below their recent peak. Chief Executive Brian […]

Total, Marathon Discovery at Harir Block

By John Lee. Total and Marathon Oil have confirmed a discovery of light oil and gas with condensates at the Harir Block, 60 kilometers from the city of Erbil. The Jisik-1 discovery well was drilled to a depth of 4,511 meters and encountered light oil and gas with condensates intervals in Jurassic and Triassic carbonate reservoirs. […]

GKP Receives Payment for Shaikan Crude

By John Lee. Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has announced that, further to the recent statement by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) regarding payment to producers for crude oil exports, an initial payment of USD 15 million (17.5 billion Iraqi dinars) gross has been made to the company. Gulf […]

Bulgaria to Open Consulate in Erbil

The Head of Trade and Economic Section of Republic of Bulgaria in Erbil, Mr. Dimitar Ougrinov, today met with the KRG Head of Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa to discuss bilateral ties and the latest developments. Mr. Ougrinov announced that Bulgaria places great importance on enhancing relations with the Kurdistan Region and stated […]

Casualty Figures for November 2014

According to casualty figures released today by UNAMI, a total of 1,232 Iraqis were killed and another 2,434 were wounded in acts of terrorism and violence in November 2014. The number of civilians killed was 936 (including 61 civilian police), while the number of civilians injured was 1,826 (including 71 civilian police). A further 296 […]

Currency Auction Results, 1st Dec

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has reported that 20 banks took part in its currency auction on Monday. A total of $127,123,000 was sold  at a price of 1166 Iraqi Dinars (IQD) per dollar. (Source: Central Bank of Iraq)

US Approves $800m Lockheed Iraq Deal

By John Lee. The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq for C-130E/J sustainment and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $800 million. The Government of Iraq has requested a possible sale for a five-year sustainment package for the C-130E/J fleet that includes operational, […]

Iraq Stock Market Report

Advertising Feature Rabee Securities Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) market report (week ending: 27th November 2014). Please click here to download a table of listed companies and their associated ticker codes. The RSISX index ended the week at ID1,368 (-1.0%)/ $1,482 (-0.8%) (weekly change) (-26.7% and -25.4% YTD change, respectively). The number of week traded shares […]

Influx of Iranian Sex Workers into KRI

By John Lee. Three taxi drivers have reportedly been arrested on charges of transporting a group of Iranian prostitutes into Iraqi Kurdistan. Security forces told BasNews that they arrested the drivers at the Haji Omaran border crossing (pictured), between the Kurdistan Region and Iran. The women are said to be Iranian and Kurdish Iranian. (Source: […]

IS Cuts off Mobile Network in Mosul

By John Lee. Islamic State militants have reportedly blocked all mobile phone networks in Mosul. According to BasNews, an official at one of the mobile phone operators said his company was investigating the issue, but declined to give further details. According to reports, shutting down of phone lines is a notable change from what has […]

West Qurna Adds $1.25bn to Lukoil Earnings

By John Lee. Lukoil's West Qurna-2 project in Iraq has added $1.25 billion to the company's earnings in the third quarter. In a statement to the markets the company said: "The Group launched the "Mishrif Early Oil" stage on the West Qurna-2 field and reached the planned production of 120 thousand barrels per day in […]

KRG Welcomes Czech Foreign Minister

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani welcomed the Czech Republic’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lubomír Zaorálek, on Thursday. In a meeting in Erbil, the President and the Czech Foreign Minister discussed strengthening bilateral relations and military support by the Czech Republic to Iraq and Kurdish peshmerga forces. Foreign Minister Zaorálek, who was accompanied by his country’s […]