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By John Lee.

Iraq's parliament on Thursday approved the government programme of Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi and confirmed 14 of his ministerial nominees, ending months of political deadlock following the November general election.

Parliament Speaker Haibet al-Halbousi opened the session with 270 of 329 lawmakers present.

The 14 ministers approved were:

• Foreign Affairs: Fuad Hussein (retained from previous government)
• Justice: Khalid Shawani [Khaled Shwani] (retained from previous government)
• Oil: Basim Mohammed [Basim Muhammad Khudhair al-Abadi] (previously deputy oil minister)
• Finance: Faleh Sari
• Communications: Mustafa Jabbar Sanad
• Industry: Mohammed Nouri Ahmed [Muhammad Nouri Ahmad al-Karbouli]
• Electricity: Ali Saad Wahib
• Health: Abdulhussein Aziz
• Environment: Sarwa Abdul-Wahid
• Agriculture: Abdul-Rahim Jassim
• Water Resources: Muthanna Ali Mahdi Al Tamimi
• Trade: Mustafa Nizar Jumaa
• Education: Abdul Karim Abtan
• Transport: Wahab Salman Mohammed

The chamber rejected the nominees for the ministries of Planning (Ahmed Nazim Najm), Culture (Ibrahim Al-Nams), Construction and Housing (Ribaz Mohammed), Higher Education (Amer Hassan Hashoush), and Interior (Qasim Atta), leaving nine portfolios still to be filled when parliament reconvenes after the Eid Al Adha holidays.

Al-Zaidi was subsequently sworn in as Prime Minister.

(Source: Iraqi Parliament)

From the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has made strengthening water infrastructure a top priority, laying the groundwork for a more resilient and sustainable water management system.

There are currently 36 dams in the Kurdistan Region: 25 have been completed, while 11 are under construction. In addition, 178 ponds have been built.

Over the past five years, 9 dams have been constructed, with a combined storage capacity exceeding 252 million cubic metres. During the same period, 23 ponds were completed, and 58 more are currently under construction.

Key Benefits of These Projects:

• Protecting and replenishing groundwater resources
• Reducing flood risks in cities and surrounding areas
• Supporting agriculture and livestock sectors
• Providing clean water for residents
• Enhancing environmental sustainability and expanding green spaces
• Promoting tourism development
• Improving water storage and enabling hydroelectric power generation

Total water storage capacity in the Kurdistan Region has reached approximately 8.5 billion cubic metres, while electricity generation from these dams stands at 166 megawatts this year.

(Source: KRG)

By John Lee.

US-based Excelerate Energy has reported its financial results for the first quarter ended 31st March, 2026.

Regarding its operations in Iraq, the company said:

"In October 2025, Excelerate executed a definitive commercial agreement with a subsidiary of Iraq's Ministry of Electricity for the development of the country's first LNG import terminal. The integrated project includes a five-year agreement for regasification services and LNG supply, with extension options, and a minimum contracted offtake of 250 million standard cubic feet per day.

"Jetty reinforcement and construction of the fixed terminal infrastructure have been delayed temporarily due to the conflict in the Middle East and the terminal is no longer expected to commence operations in the third quarter of 2026 as previously disclosed. Project startup is now expected in 2027.

"The long-term fundamentals supporting the project remain unchanged, driven by chronic power shortages and limited domestic gas processing capacity in Iraq. Current conditions further reinforce the country's need for reliable and scalable LNG import infrastructure and construction will resume as conditions allow."

Steven Kobos, President and CEO of Excelerate Energy, added:

"We are revising our full-year guidance to reflect the delayed startup of our Iraq terminal due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, mitigated in part by the expected interim deployment of the Excelerate Acadia [a new floating storage and regasification unit (FRSU), pictured] to Jordan. The Iraq project fundamentals remain unchanged."

(Source: Excelerate Energy)

By Ahmed Mousa Jiyad. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

The American - Israeli War Against Iran, the Unprecedented Severe International Energy Crisis and Detrimental Impacts on Iraq

On Friday evening, April 10th, the esteemed "Al-Mushtarak" platform graciously organized a debating event in which I discussed the implications, complexities, and consequences of the above topic. Here is a brief report on the event.

I began the PowerPoint presentation by asserting my conviction that the US-Israeli aggression against Iran has created and continues to create an unprecedented severe international energy crisis. The longer the aggression persists, the deeper the "energy crisis" becomes, and its cumulative consequences could potentially lead to an "energy catastrophe" on a global scale. I argued further that the world may witness and suffer from a form of "Imperialism of capture and control over resources through military means" in tenuous international law and relations.

The first part of my presentation analyses the components, indicators, and developments of the energy crisis. It begins by presenting the reasons that lead to the belief that what we are witnessing is an unprecedented, severe, and impactful international energy crisis. This is followed by identifying key terms for understanding the sequence, hierarchy, and cumulative nature of an international energy crisis: Availability, Reliability, Durability, Accessibility, Deliverability, Affordability, Ramifications, and Actions. Through the dynamics of the energy multiplier, accelerator, and deepener, the energy crisis of today could be worsened into an energy catastrophe on the global level.

Because oil price exhibits the most significant direct consequences of the war, the mechanisms impacting oil price movements -- market fundamentals, market sentiments, and the new America-specific TACO (Trump Always Chicken Out) Trading -- were analysed, along with their potential to cause stagflation in economic activity. This constitutes the heavy "political cost" of launching and continuing the aggression, especially for Trump.

While the focus, in the prevailing narratives, is on West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent crude prices, I observe that the price levels of other crudes -- Dubai, Oman, and Urals/Russian -- have been and remain significantly higher than those of WTI and Brent. Since the prices of Dubai and Oman crudes are the benchmarks for pricing, with premium, the Arabian Gulf crude oil destined for East Asian markets, and because East Asian refineries are important sources of exported petroleum products to Europe and America, the impact of increased prices of petroleum and petrochemical products on the final consumer reflects the prices of crude oil imported from the Arabian Gulf countries and Russia more, and far greater, than the increase in WTI and Brent crude prices. Hence, there is a need for a mindset shift when considering oil price consequences. This section was premised on information, data, and statistics compiled from reliable international sources.

The second part addressed the repercussions on Iraq's oil sector and the measures taken by the authorities to mitigate them.

It began by discussing the importance and necessity of activating the contractual clauses related to force majeure by all Iraqi companies affiliated with the Ministry of Oil. This is vital to avoid potentially very high costs Iraq could incur if force majeure were not invoked, particularly in the upstream petroleum projects under the concluded bid rounds and other modalities. The Ministry's companies have not yet invoked the article in a contractual, standardized, and comprehensive manner.

This part presented and discussed possible and available alternatives proposed by the authorities for exporting crude oil and fuel oil via pipelines and trucks, highlighting the non-availability, limitations, and lack of economic viability of such alternatives.

Data on Iraqi oil exports indicates very low generated revenues during March due to a thin export volume through the southern outlets. The price levels of Basra Medium and Basra Heavy crude oil in the US markets were higher than those of WTI and Brent crude, since SOMO uses another benchmark -- ASCI -- for pricing its exports to the American market.

The section also discussed the chronic problem of Iraqi refineries, which is characterised by high fuel oil production and limited production of gasoline and diesel/gas oil. The extent to which official directives disregard this chronic reality by calling for increasing refinery production at maximum capacity, without considering the lack of sufficient storage capacity for the fuel oil surplus production, was also discussed.

The problem of associated gas shortages due to halting oil production was also addressed, along with its repercussions on cooking/heating gas -- LPG production -- and electricity generation activities. This is a chronic dilemma that Iraq has suffered from for decades, and it will only worsen further with the approaching summer, characterised by soaring temperatures.

The Ministry has taken a number of belated and limited measures that cannot compensate for its failure in previous years to take sufficient precautionary measures to confront the consequences of a well-known and highly probable crisis.

The third part includes a number of other important and relevant considerations of geopolitical, geomilitary, geostrategic, and international relations dimensions, as well as concluding remarks.

The event included discussion, comments, and questions after my presentation. The full recording of the event, in Arabic, can be viewed and downloaded through the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dBrKmWxiFQ [Arabic]

Mr Jiyad is an independent development consultant, scholar and Associate with the former Centre for Global Energy Studies (CGES), London. He was formerly a senior economist with the Iraq National Oil Company and Iraq's Ministry of Oil, Chief Expert for the Council of Ministers, Director at the Ministry of Trade, and International Specialist with UN organizations in Uganda, Sudan and Jordan. He is now based in Norway (Email: mou-jiya(at)online.no, Skype ID: Ahmed Mousa Jiyad). Read more of Mr Jiyad's biography here.

By John Lee.

The accelerated gas investment project at the Nahr Bin Omar field is scheduled to enter operational service by the end of April, according to Iraq's Ministry of Oil.

The project, part of efforts to increase utilisation of associated gas and reduce flaring, will deliver additional supplies of dry gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and condensates.

According to the Ministry, the project's initial design capacity includes processing up to 70 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of raw gas, contributing to improved energy efficiency and power generation support.

Expected daily output includes:

• 80 mmscfd of dry gas for power generation
• 500-600 tonnes of LPG for domestic consumption
• More than 1,800 barrels of condensates

The development is being implemented through cooperation between South Gas Company (SGC), State Company for Oil Projects (SCOP), and Basra Gas Company (BGC), reflecting a coordinated approach to expanding gas infrastructure.

The Ministry stated that the project will help reduce gas flaring, increase domestic LPG supply, and support electricity generation, while also generating additional economic value from previously flared associated gas.

Deputy Minister for Gas Affairs Izzat Saber Ismail confirmed progress during a site visit, accompanied by South Gas Company Director General Ali Salman and Oil Projects Company Director General Ali Wared.

The Ibn Omar accelerated gas project forms part of a broader strategy to enhance gas investment, reduce imports, and strengthen Iraq's power sector.

(Source: Ministry of Oil)

By John Lee.

The South Gas Company (SGC) has launched an accelerated project to increase gas processing and supply in Basra, aiming to boost national energy output and support electricity generation.

The project, implemented in cooperation with the State Company for Oil Projects (SCOP), will add 600 tonnes per day of liquefied gas to national production and supply around 55 million standard cubic feet per day of dry gas to power stations.

The initiative forms part of efforts by the Ministry of Oil to enhance energy production and meet domestic demand.

Key components of the project include:

• Processing and transport of associated gas from Nahr Bin Omar, Majnoon, and North Rumaila fields
• Supply of 55 mmscf/d of dry gas to electricity generation plants
• Increase of 600 tonnes per day in liquefied gas production
• Reduction of gas flaring and improved utilisation of associated gas

The project will be implemented in two phases:

• Phase one: 4.5 km pipeline, to be completed within 15 days
• Phase two: 4 km pipeline extension

Deputy Oil Minister for Gas Affairs Izzat Saber Ismail said the project is being executed using national resources, highlighting its role in improving efficiency and accelerating delivery timelines.

Senior officials from the South Gas Company and the Oil Projects Company attended the site visit in Basra.

(Source: Ministry of Oil)

By John Lee.

Ibn Majid General Company, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Industry and Minerals, has announced progress on a project to rehabilitate the old Republic Bridge and construct a new parallel bridge in Maysan [Missan] province.

The development will connect the eastern and western banks of the Tigris River in the Awasha area of central Amarah, with a total length of 900 metres including approaches.

Director General Mohammed Abdul Karim Baqir said the project is one of the key infrastructure schemes in the city, with work progressing on schedule and reaching 20 percent completion.

Works completed to date include:

• Installation of bridge piles of varying dimensions and depths
• Construction of foundations and structural supports
• Civil engineering works including laying, spraying, and compaction
• Relocation of utility infrastructure, including water pipelines, electricity cables, and telecommunications lines

The company stated that work is continuing at an accelerated pace to meet the project timeline, with full mobilisation of its engineering and technical capabilities to support infrastructure development.

(Source: Ministry of Industry and Minerals)

By John Lee.

The Ministry of Electricity has announced a complete cessation in Iranian gas supplies to Iraq, resulting in the loss of approximately 3,100 megawatts of power generation capacity.

Ministry spokesman Ahmed Mousa told the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the disruption resulted from developments in the region and had an immediate impact on the national electricity system.

Efforts are ongoing to mitigate the impact through fuel substitution and operational adjustments.

(Source: INA)

By John Lee.

The Ministry of Electricity has said the Iraq-Gulf electricity interconnection project will soon enter service with an initial capacity of 500MW.

According to ministry spokesperson Ahmed Mousa Al-Abadi, the project is around 95 percent complete and is currently undergoing final operational procedures before the first phase becomes operational.

The ministry also confirmed that the electricity interconnection with Turkey is fully completed and ready to operate during the summer peak demand period.

Other regional interconnection projects include the Iraq-Jordan grid link, which is already operating in its first phase. Preparations are under way for the second phase following completion of the connection between the Al-Qaim station in Iraq and the Al-Risha station in Jordan.

Officials said the electricity system is continuing preparations for the summer season, including strengthening transmission links and ensuring network readiness. However, reduced imported gas supplies-currently around 6 million cubic metres per day-continue to affect generation output, with coordination ongoing with the Ministry of Oil to provide alternative fuel for power stations.

(Source: Ministry of Electricity)

By John Lee.

Trial operation has begun on the first generating unit of the Shams Al-Basra solar power project, the largest solar energy scheme in Iraq, with a total planned capacity of 1,000MW.

The project, located in the Artawi [Ratawi] area of Basra province, covers approximately 9,000 dunams and comprises four units, each with a design capacity of 250MW.

The scheme is being implemented by TotalEnergies in cooperation with the Ministry of Electricity, as part of efforts to diversify energy sources and expand renewable generation.

Initial synchronisation has commenced at 61MW, with output to be gradually increased to the unit's full 250MW capacity. The unit will be connected to the national grid via the New Rumaila and Souq Al-Shuyoukh transmission lines, in accordance with approved technical plans.

The Ministry of Electricity said the project will contribute to strengthening grid stability, meeting rising electricity demand in Basra province, reducing carbon emissions and enhancing long-term energy security once fully operational.

(Source: Ministry of Electricity)