Iraq Business News brings you the latest information on developments and opportunities in the oil and gas industry in Iraq.
By John Lee. Petrofac, the international oil & gas service provider, has today signed a contract worth approximately US$100 million to provide offshore operations and maintenance services for the Iraq Crude Oil Expansion Project. Awarded by Iraq's South Oil Company (SOC), the 12-month contract will commence following a three-month mobilisation period. There is also additional […]
By John Lee. In its interim results for the period ended 30th June 2012, Dragon Oil today issued the following update on its business in Iraq: A consortium of companies, comprising Dragon Oil (30%), the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) (30%) and Kuwait Energy (40% and operator), has been awarded an exploration, development and production service […]
By John Lee. Basra Investment Commission has published a new guide for investors, covering such areas as opportunities, taxes, and how to get a visa. The quality of the English translation is rather poor, but it is still reasonably understandable. You can download the guide here.
By John Lee. Iraqi authorities have warned France's Total that it must freeze its energy deal with Iraqi Kurdistan or sell its stake in the Halfaya oilfield, reports Reuters. Faisal Abdullah, a spokesman for Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Hussain al-Shahristani, said: "Iraq has officially asked Total to freeze or cancel its contract with the […]
By John Lee. The China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) is reported to be in talks with Russia's OAO Lukoil about joining the company’s West Qurna-2 project in Iraq. Lukoil is seeking a partner for a 30 percent stake in the project following the exit of Norway's Statoil’s, Nefte Compass said, citing Andrei Kuzyaev (pictured), head […]
By John Lee. Iraq’s crude oil output rose above 3 million barrels a day last month for the first time since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, according to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Iraq pumped 3.08 million barrels a day in July, 115,000 barrels more than the previous month, outpacing […]
By John Lee. Shares in Gulf Keystone (GKP) were up more than 5% on Friday following the company's submission of a 'Declaration of Commercial Discovery' relating to its Shaikan Block in Iraqi Kurdistan. Todd Kozel (pictured), Gulf Keystone's Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented: "Declaration of Commercial Discovery is an important milestone for Gulf […]
By John Lee. Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organisation (SOMO) has adjusted its official selling prices for its Basra Light and Kirkuk crude grades for September. In common with some other countries, Iraq’s oil is priced relative to regional benchmark prices: For shipments to US, contracts are priced are relative to the Argus Sour Crude Index […]
By John Lee. The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Nechirvan Barzani (pictured), has said that the policy of his government is to achieve self-sufficiency in fuel and electricity generation. He said that the Baghdad government is cutting Kurdistan's share from the fuel produced at the Iraqi refineries. "Therefore, in these two fields […]
By John Lee. A spokesman for Jordan's Energy Ministry says the Ministry will choose a company this month to transport 10,000 bpd of Iraqi crude oil b truck. Fayez Abu Gahud told Bloomberg: “The tenders committee is currently looking into financial bids submitted to the energy ministry and will announce the winning bidder as soon […]
By John Lee. Like good comedy, the secret of good investment is often said to be timing. Someone buying shares at the end of June in Heritage Oil, which has interests in Iraqi Kurdistan, may have had reason to be concerned if they planned to sell shortly afterwards, as the shares were suspended in early July […]
By John Lee. Estimates vary as to when oil will flow again through the pipeline that runs from Kirkuk to the Turkish port of Ceyhan (pictured), following the attack that halted exports on Sunday. Dow Jones quotes a shipping agent as saying on Wednesday that pumping is not expected to resume until he weekend. Reuters, […]
