Iraq's Food Rationing Controversy
By John Lee. Iraqis are divided over plans to reform the country's largest social welfare programme. Iraq’s cabinet decided last week to remove the food rationing scheme in favour of a direct cash transfer to citizens, which would mean that from the start of March next year, all Iraqis would be entitled to a monthly […]
Baghdad Uni Signs Agreement with Microsoft
By John Lee. The University of Baghdad has signed a joint cooperation agreement with Microsoft, under which the American technology giant will provide supplies for the application of scientific quality and reliability standards at the university. The deal includes the provision of 1000 copies of Windows 7 for use by university departments, colleges and institutes […]
Weekly Security Update
By Gary Sandiford, Olive Group’s Dubai based assessments manager. Olive Group is a leading provider of security and technology solutions and has operated continuously in Iraq since 2003. Overview Olive Groups Iraq statistics are drawn from multiple sources, including media reporting and direct liaison with in country assets. Included within the statistics are a […]
Wood Group Wins Iraq Contract
By John Lee. Wood Group PSN (WGPSN) has been awarded a contract by DNO Middle East to provide engineering and project support services to the Tawke field, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The contract marks WGPSN’s expansion into Iraq. The energy services company will deliver engineering studies, detailed design, technical and operations support to […]
Crescent Petroleum Gears Up for Expansion in Iraq
By John Lee. Majid Jafar (pictured), the chief executive of UAE-based Crescent Petroleum, has said the company is gearing up for expansion in the Iraqi oil and gas sector. Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Dubai, he said: "We are looking at entering Libya with the right opportunity. […]
Afren Falls on Interim Management Statement
By John Lee. Shares in Afren closed down 1.8 percent on Tuesday following the company's interim management statement. Afren gave the following update on its operations in Iraqi Kurdistan: Barda Rash Having commenced an extensive testing programme at the BR-1 well in July 2012 and establishing oil rates in excess of 6,000 bopd of 28° […]
Al-Maliki Lays Foundation Stone for New Hospital
By John Lee. Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has laid the foundation stone for a new hospital in Husseiniya, in the Al Rashidiya area of north Baghdad. The Prime Minister said in his speech: with every step we make in the process of rebuilding Iraq, we are filled with joy and happiness, because we move forward […]
PM Nechirvan Barzani Visits Iran
By John Lee. Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and a delegation of senior officials from the Kurdistan Region concluded a two-day visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran yesterday to promote greater cooperation in economic and trade relations. With the volume of trade between the Kurdistan Region and Iran estimated to be around $8 billion this […]
Iranian VP Leads Delegation to Erbil Economic Forum
By John Lee. Iran’s Vice President for International Affairs, Ali Saeedlou, led a high level political and economic delegation representing about one hundred Iranian companies to the Kurdistan Region to participate in a high profile business conference today. The Iranian – Kurdistan Region Economic Forum follows a visit to Iran by Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani […]
Iraq to Renegotiate Russian Arms Deal
By John Lee. Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh (pictured) has announced that the country is to renegotiate the recent $4.2-billion weapons deal with Russia: "It will renegotiate with Russia to put an end to suspicions of corruption in the weapons deal", he said. The turnaround follows the ouster of Russia's defense minister earlier this week, […]
Majnoon to Exceed 200,000 bpd Next Year
By John Lee. Shell's Majnoon oilfield in Southern Iraq is expected to exceed 200,000 bpd in the third quarter of 2013, above the level of 170,000 bpd needed to start recovering costs, according to Reuters. Majnoon started a shutdown in June for maintenance and to bring new production facilities online. Under the Majnoon development plan […]
Genel Takes Control of Miran Block
By John Lee. Genel Energy has announced that it will take an extra 49 percent of the Miran Block in Iraqi Kurdistan as repayment for a $294 million loan issued in August to Heritage Oil. The company previously acquired a 26 percent working interest in the Miran Block from Heritage on 23 August 2012, taking […]