Archive | Iraq Oil & Gas News

Iraq Business News brings you the latest information on developments and opportunities in the oil and gas industry in Iraq.

South Oil Company takes over Oxy's stake in Zubair

By John Lee. The South Oil Company (SOC) has officially taken over the stake in the Zubair oil field formerly held by US-based Occidental Petroleum, which has withdrawn from the project. Repressentatives of Italy's Eni and the Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) signed the agreement along with the Ministry of Oil. Mr. Laith Al-Shaher, the director general […]

KRG Official under Investigation for Leaking Oil Data

The Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has said it is investigating a senior official who may have given “confidential data for oil and gas blocks” to a London-based company. In a statement, the MNR said that a London-based company is promoting itself to potential investors as a new upstream investment vehicle focussed on […]

GKP Confirms July Oil Payment from KRG

By John Lee. Gulf Keystone (GKP) has confirmed today that a gross payment of $15.0 million has been received from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for Shaikan crude oil export sales in July 2016. The company said in a statement that it and the KRG's Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) continue to work towards agreeing […]

Genel Chairman, Tony Hayward, to Step Down next year

By John Lee. Fox Business reports that Tony Hayward, the former BP boss, is set to step down next year as chairman of Genel Energy. The company, which he founded in 2011 with financier Nat Rothschild, has become the biggest oil and gas producer in Iraqi Kurdistan. A company spokesman said that no decision has […]

Genel Energy receives Payment for July Sales

By John Lee. Genel Energy has announced that the Taq Taq field partners have received a gross payment of $23.37 million from the Kurdistan Regional Government ('KRG') for oil sales during July 2016. Genel's net share of the payment is $12.85 million. The payment reflects full settlement of the invoiced amount for July 2016 oil […]

Oil Minister calls for Investment in Nasiriya Refinery

By John Lee. Oil Minister Jabar Ali al-Luaibi (Allibi) has called for local and international companies to invest in the Nasiriya Refinery project in Thi-Qar province. He also called the concerned authorities to solve all the administrative hindrances which might delay the project in order to award it to the companies which are going to […]

Oil Companies trim Investments in Iraq

By John Lee. Major oil companies including BP, Shell and Lukoil are reported to be cutting investment in Iraq. “You’re going through difficult months,” said Ariel Flores, general manager of the BP-led Rumaila Operating Organization (ROO) told the Wall Street Journal. “You slow down and you make decisions to pause efforts.” Rumaila oil field now […]

Iraq Targets 4.75-5m bpd Oil Output

By John Lee. Oil Minister Jabar Ali al-Luaibi (Allibi) said on Thursday that while Iraq will support a production ceiling next week at an informal meeting of oil producers in Algeria, it aims to defend its share of output of between 4.75 million and 5 million barrels of oil per day. Producers are expected to […]

Gulf Keystone Petroleum: Half-Year Report

Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has announced its results for the six months ended 30 June 2016. Operational highlights Security situation and HSSE performance All operations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq remain safe and secure with no significant HSSE incidents during the period Production and sales Strong production performance resulted in gross production of 6.0 […]

Diwaniya New Refinery: Another Dubious Proposal?

By Ahmed Mousa Jiyad. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Two recent statements from a non-oil producing province proposing a new oil refinery in the province, to be financed by private investor(s), were reported by local media. No reference was found to […]

Oil Minister Welcomes UK Companies

By John Lee. On Tuesday, Iraqi oil minister Jabbar al-Luaibi [Allibi] met the envoy of the British Prime Minister, Baroness Emma Nicholson, who was leading a delegation from the Iraq British Business Council (IBBC). The two parties discussed cooperation and the development of the oil and gas industry in Iraq. Mr. Allibi said the Ministry […]