Fuel Pipeline Attacked for 3rd Time
By John Lee. Iraq's Oil Ministry has said that insurgents have blown up the fuel pipeline from Baiji [Beiji, Bayji] refinery (pictured) in Salahaddin province to Nineveh province for the third time this month. The attack on the pipeline occurred at 11:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday, and halted fuel supplies from Iraq’s largest refinery, […]
British Trade Mission to Kurdistan
The UK's Middle East Association (MEA), in partnership with the Kurdistan Regional Government, will be leading a Trade Delegation to Iraqi Kurdistan from 28th April to 3rd May 2013, visiting Erbil and Duhok. The Kurdistan region remains one of the MEA’s major success stories. Last October we took another large UK trade delegation to the […]
Updated US Travel Warning for Iraq
The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all but essential travel to Iraq given the security situation. Travel within Iraq remains dangerous. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated August 9, 2012, to update information on security incidents and to remind U.S. citizens of ongoing security concerns in Iraq, including kidnapping and […]
WesternZagros Spuds Kurdamir-3
WesternZagros Resources has spudded the latest well of its extensive exploration and appraisal program in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Drilling began on the Kurdamir-3 appraisal well on the Kurdamir Block on February 22, 2013. 3D seismic surveys are also underway on both the Kurdamir and Garmian Blocks, and preparations are progressing for the three […]
KRG Signs New Agreements with Gazprom
By John Lee. The Kurdistan Regional Government is reported to have signed new agreements with Gazprom Neft, the oil-producing subsidiary of Russian gas monopoly Gazprom. "We are satisfied with Gazprom Neft's work in the region. New agreements have been reached with this Russian company in recent days," KRG President Masoud Barzani (pictured) was quoted as […]
Iraq Club Dubai Celebrates 1st Anniversary
6th March sees the anniversary event of The Iraq Club Dubai. This network for senior energy professionals operating in Iraq, has gone from strength to strength since it launched in 2012. The bi-monthly event which regularly attracts over 100 senior representatives from companies such as Leightons, Gulftainer and Schlumberger, expects a higher turn out next […]
Metito Wins Kufa Water Project
Metito, a leader in intelligent water management solutions, has won a $6.8 million deal for a water treatment plant in Iraq. The company has signed an agreement with F&B Investment for the design, build, selection and supply of all mechanical and electrical equipment for the wastewater treatment plant in south of Kufa, Iraq. The project, […]
Iraq "Losing $27m/day" Due to Budget Delay
By John Lee. A member of the Shiite-dominated National alliance coalition told a press conference at the weekend that Iraq is losing almost $27 million per day because delays in agreeing the budget. Haider Abadi, Chairman of the parliamentary Finance Committee, is reported as insisting that the budget is issued as soon as possible. Iraq’s […]
UN Envoy Supports Greenbelts in Iraq
Speaking at a ministerial meeting on sand and dust-storms in the region, organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya, on 21 February, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq, Mr. Martin Kobler (pictured), expressed his support for greenbelts in Iraq and proposed the establishment of a regional […]
US-Sponsored Projects Assist Vulnerable Communities
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad hosted the “Victories from Iraq” bazaar on February 16, 2013, featuring the work of Iraqi artists who have benefitted from U.S. Government-funded skills and business training programs. Since 2007, the U.S. State Department has provided over $53 million to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to implement livelihood projects for […]
Exxon Begins Exploration in Kurdistan Region
By John Lee. Exxon Mobil has begun exploration for oil in Kurdistan Region, according to a report from PUKmedia. Safeen Dezae, Spokesman for the KRG, told the news agency that the company began its first stage of exploration with the scoping of locations; the second stage will involve exploratory drilling. Regarding the impact of the […]
Iraq Oil Payment Talks 'Hit Impasse'
By John Lee. Talks aimed at resolving the oil payments dispute between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi Federal Government are believed to have reached deadlock. Hopes of a resolution had been raised last week, but coalition legislator Ammar Tohme told Bloomberg that the political factions failed to agree on the amount of […]