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.

Oil Minister meets head of Exxon Mobil Iraq

By John Lee. Iraqi oil minister, Jabbar al-Luaibi (Allibi), met with the head of Exxon Mobil Iraq, Paul Thiss, in his office on Wednesday to discuss cooperation and investment in the Iraqi energy sector. The Minister said Iraq is about to enter a new age of development of its oil and gas industry and is […]

Oil Fires put out at Qayara, some still Burning

By John Lee. Iraq has reportedly put out fires at six more oil wells in the Qayara region, which Iraqi forces recaptured from the Islamic State group (Daesh, IS, ISIS, ISIL) last month. But Reuters quotes the Iraqi oil ministry as saying on Tuesday that at least three fires are still blazing. The wells had […]

KNOC drops Sangaw South Project

By John Lee. The Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) is to withdraw from the Sangaw South oil field project in Iraqi Kurdistan. A spokesman for the company told Reuters that exploration results were "uneconomic." A Korean consortium headed by KNOC holds 60 percent of the project, with half of that owned by KNOC. KNOC has […]

KRG Announces Reduced Oil Production in August

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has published its monthly production and export revenue overview for August 2016. During the month it exported 412k bpd from the Turkish port of Ceyhan, down from the previous month’s figure, at an average price of $32.44 per barrel, bringing in revenue of $414 million. Please click here to view or […]

Iraq, Kurdistan "Jointly Exporting Kirkuk Oil"

By John Lee. Trading sources have told Reuters that Baghdad's State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) and Kurdistan have resumed joint exports of crude oil from the giant Kirkuk oil field. The field normally delivers 150,000 barrels per day via the Turkish port of Ceyhan (pictured). Exports have been suspended since March in a dispute over […]

Oil Exports from Southern Ports Rise

By John Lee. Iraq’s crude oil exports from its southern ports rose to 3.230 million bpd in August, compared with 3.202 million bpd in July, according to the Ministry of Oil. Revenues for the month hit $3.93 billion, giving an average selling price of $39.248 per barrel. (Source: Ministry of Oil)

Four More Wells Completed at Halfaya

By John Lee. The Missan Oil Company (MOC) has announced for the completion of four new wells at the Halfaya field in Maysan province. Adnan N. Sajit, the director general of the MOC, said that the Chinese companies Bohai and Daiken had completed the drilling at the field, which is being developed by Petrochina (CNPC). […]

Iraq may Sell Oil through Iran if talks with KRG Fail

By John Lee. Iraq would reportedly consider selling crude through Iran if talks with Iraqi Kurdistan on an oil revenue-sharing agreement fail. Deputy Oil Minister Fayadh al-Nema told Reuters that Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organisation (SOMO) plans to hold talks with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), possibly this week. He said "If the negotiations come […]

Iraq Invites Investment in new Refineries, Storage Tanks

By John Lee. Iraq's new oil minister, Jabbar al-Luaibi, has invited international oil companies to invest in four new oil refineries across the country: Kirkuk: 150,000 bpd; Kut: 100,000 bpd; Samawa: 70,000 bpd; and, Basra: 100-150,000 bpd. Contracts will be considered on both BOT (Build–Operate–Transfer) and BOO (Build–Own–Operate) bases. The Minister made the announcement during […]

Qayyarah Oilfields Still Burning

By Simon Kent. Qayyarah's oilfields are still on fire weeks after the self declared Islamic State set them on fire as part of a scorched earth strategy during their retreat. The terrorists also poured oil from Qayyarah into the Tigris and set it alight in an attempt to burn a makeshift Iraqi Army bridge. Before […]