Reforming Iraq’s National Grid
Report first published in nina-iraq.com, the magazine for Iraqi women everywhere. By Dr. Basil Al-Fakhri, formerly of the Electricity Power Commission-IRAQ [1988-1989], consultant in Western power Utility, KBR consultant and SMEC consultant-Australia[2004-2012]. It is my belief that the Ministry of Electricity [ME] needs to engage with international consulting firms (this is what happens with oil […]
India Increases Oil Imports from Iraq
By John Lee. India's oil imports from Iraq have seen a sharp increase in January, according to Platts, climbing 56 percent to 2.48 million mt. Eklavya Gupte, associate editor, Europe and Africa crude oil, at Platts said: “Indian refiners are importing Iraqi Basrah light crude oil to compensate for the drop in imports from Iran […]
Basra Approves $216m Power Projects
By John Lee. Basra governorate has reportedly approved 60 new power projects valued at a total of $218 million (255 billion Iraqi dinars) within its 2015 budget. The projects were given the green light at an emergency meeting of the governing council on Monday, and were fewer than desired because of budget constraints. Emirates 24|7 […]
Proposed Changes to Service Contracts
By Patrick Schmidt. Once the price of oil rises again, the Iraqi government hopes to fix some of the financial issues attached to the lower oil prices. The Ministry of Oil hopes to create incentives for international oilfield operators to produce more oil even when prices are high. Other discussions include ways to cut costs […]
Will Sistani be able to Control Forces?
By Mustafa al Kadhimi for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Iraq Business News. Will Sistani be able to Control Popular Mobilization Forces? Iraq’s top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, issued a fatwa on June 13, 2014, encouraging Iraqis to take up […]
AM General Wins $32m Humvee Deal
By John Lee. AM General has been awarded a $32,109,715 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Iraq) contract for 160 M1151A1B1 High Mobility Multi Purpose Wheeled Vehicles. Work will be performed in South Bend, Indiana, with an estimated completion date of June 12, 2015. One bid was solicited with one received. (Source: US Dept of Defense)
WFP Urgently Needs $45m for Iraq
By John Lee. A report from KUNA says that the UN World food program (WFP) urgently requires $45 million (54 billion Iraqi dinars) to continue its Emergency Operation in Iraq until June. Elisabeth Byrs, WFP Senior Communications Officer , Geneva Spokesperson told a press briefing that the humanitarian situation in the cities of Samarra in […]
KRG Reassures Airlines on Safety
Kurdistan Regional Government Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, chaired a meeting to discuss and assess the state of airports and flights in the Kurdistan Region. The meeting was attended by KRG Ministers of Interior, Natural Resources, Planning, Transportation and the Head of the Department of Foreign Relations and the Government Spokesperson along with the Governor […]
Video: Christian Brigade Formed to Battle IS
From AFP. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq's first Christian-only brigade of regular forces graduated Thursday to help retake the community's towns and villages from the Islamic State group. The new brigade will answer to the government of the Kurdish region.
Iraqi Forces under Investigation for War Crimes
By Patrick Schmidt. Elite units of the Iraqi Security Forces have been placed under investigation by the Iraqi government. Reports show these units torturing and executing members of the Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL). Other images show Iraqi soldiers hanging members of the IS from towers. Iraqi authorities are now trying to find additional photos […]
ShaMaran Updates on Reserves
By John Lee. ShaMaran Petroleum reports updates to estimated reserves and contingent resources for the Atrush block as of December 31, 2014. The reserves and contingent resources estimates were provided by McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd. ("McDaniel"), the Company's independent qualified resources evaluator, and were prepared in accordance with standards set out in the Canadian […]
Iraq to Cut Southern Oil Exports
By John Lee. Iraq plans to reduce crude oil exports from its southern ports in April. Reuters cites trade sources as saying that 2.4 million bpd will be exported in April, down from 2.65 million bpd in March, to make exports "more manageable". (Source: Reuters)