US Pavilion Opened at Baghdad International Fair
By John Lee. United States Ambassador Stephen Beecroft (pictured) inaugurated the U.S. Pavilion at the 39th Baghdad International Fair. The U.S. Pavilion houses booths for over 35 organizations, including 24 companies, seven universities, and three U.S. government agencies. The Pavilion features bilingual staff to welcome visitors and connect them with appropriate companies or universities, as […]
Video: Iraq's Signature Dish "Masgoof" Back on the Tables
More and more Iraqis are frequenting restaurants in Baghdad and in other major cities across the country to eat the signature dish "masgoof", as once rampant violence has declined. As a result, the fishing industry and restaurants serving the iconic cut-open carp that is best eaten in groups, are seeing a boom: (Source: AFP)
UN's Kobler Welcomes Announcement of Council Elections
By John Lee. The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq, Mr. Martin Kobler, has welcomed the decision announced on 30 October 2012 by the Government of Iraq to set 20 April 2013 as the date for the forthcoming Governorate Council elections, following consultations with the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC). “Setting […]
Chevening Iraq Programme Launched
The British Embassy in Iraq has launched the competition for this year’s Chevening Scholarships in Iraq. This year, the programme is looking for applications from the fields of energy, the private sector, the public sector, good governance, human rights, security and rule of law but applications from other fields may also be considered. To apply […]
Opportunities for Study and Travel to the US
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has announced that it are now accepting applications for two U.S. Government-sponsored exchange programs aimed at fostering mutual understanding and developing leadership skills. The programs provide Iraqi students and academics with networking and professional development opportunities with their American peers and colleagues. These programs work to support the goals of […]
Iraq Pledges $15m to Sudan, Yemen
By John Lee. The Iraqi government has decided to grant both Sudan and Yemen a total of $15 million. The Republic of Sudan is to get $10 million in the form of direct funding to Sudan's federal budget for FY 2013. "The funds will be channeled to the post-conflict rehabilitation in Darfur region, west Sudan," […]
Petronor Launches Phase 2 of Iraq Energy City (IEC)
By John Lee. Petronor, the Dubai-based international services company, is launching the second phase of Iraq Energy City (IEC), fully equipped international community in Basra, catering to the oil and gas industry. Located 20 minutes from Basra International Airport, IEC offers accommodation and commercial real estate to international companies looking to enter the Iraq market, according […]
Genel Energy Interim Management Statement
Genel Energy has issued its Interim Management Statement for the period from 1 July 2012 to 31 October 2012. Highlights 2012 production guidance increased to c45,000 bopd following the resumption of export sales in August. Sales revenue guidance for 2012 remains unchanged at c $250 - 300 million Following the resumption of exports in August, […]
A Subtle Warning from Eni
By John Lee. Paolo Scaroni, the CEO of Italian oil and gas company Eni, spoke out on Wednesday to complain about the difficulties of doing business in Iraq. "Our adrenaline rush now is not what it was when we entered Iraq", he said ,"[it's] more complex than we first thought." On one hand, we could […]
Eni Consortium to Invest $18bn in Zubair
The CEO of Italian oil and gas company Eni, Paolo Scaroni (pictured), said he expects the consortium led by Eni to invest $18 billion in the Zubair oilfield. He added that the group, which includes Occidental Petroleum Corp and South Korea's KOGAS, has already invested 4-5 billion euros in the project. Production at the field is […]
Alderley FZE Wins Major Contracts in Iraq
Alderley FZE, a subsidiary of Alderley plc, has recently secured contracts for two crude oil metering systems in Iraq. The contracts for both projects were issued by Petrofac, the international oil and gas facilities service provider, for the new Early Production System (EPS) for the Majnoon field in southern Iraq and for the first phase […]
WesternZagros Confirms Oil in Eocene Reservoir at Kurdamir-2
By John Lee. WesternZagros Resources has successfully completed its testing program in the Eocene reservoir, the second of three target intervals in the Kurdamir-2 exploration well in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The testing proved an oil discovery in the naturally fractured limestones of the Eocene Formation. This adds to the previously announced major discovery […]