Anti-US Cleric Returns to Iraq
Another wild-card was thrown into the Iraqi mix on Wednesday with the return of radical Shia'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr from nearly four years of self-imposed exile in Iran. A fierce opponent of the United States and head of Iraq's feared militia, the Mehdi Army, al-Sadr's return was reportedly low-key, and was not entirely unexpected following […]
Iraq’s Mosul to Produce 200,000 Barrels of Oil Per Day
The Province of Nineveh [Ninawa], of which Mosul is the capital, will soon turn into a major oil producing region in Iraq, with output estimated at 200,000 barrels a day, an Iraqi oil official said. According to the report from Azzaman, the official, who refused to be named, said the crude will mainly flow from […]
Iraq to Tender New Power Plants, Triple Output by 2013
Iraq plans to almost triple power generation capacity to 17,000 MW by 2013, mostly through building new plants, Masaab Serri, an Electricity Ministry spokesman, told Bloomberg. Iraq plans to invite bids later this year for the construction of three power plants to boost output by 1,500 megawatts, he said on Tuesday. One plant is to […]
Gulf Keystone Jumps on Shaikan-3 News
Shares in Gulf Keystone (LSE: GKP)jumped 5.5% in London on Wednesday after the company announced the completion of drilling and testing operations on its Shaikan-3 shallow appraisal well. This well was designed to drill and test the Cretaceous intervals in the immediate vicinity of the Shaikan-1 discovery well. The Company has a 75 percent working […]
China Considers Cement Plant in Anbar
A delegation of Chinese companies specializing in cement production visited the Council of Anbar province on Tuesday to discuss investment projects in the region. The head of Anbar provincial council, Jassim al-Halbousi, told AKnews that the discussions focused on ways of increasing productivity at Anbar’s Qaem cement plant. “We hope it will be as significant […]
3 Large Iraqi Communications Contracts This Year
The Iraqi Ministry of Communications announced on Wednesday that it will offer three “large” investment projects during this year. The Ministry’s spokesman, Samor Ali Hassoun, told AKnews that the three projects are for normal telephone lines, Baghdad Communications Tower, and post offices. The Ministry’s preparations regarding this offer are ongoing, and international companies will be […]
Arab League Confirms Iraq Hosts Next Summit
The Undersecretary General of the Arab League, Ahmed bin Helli, has confirmed that Iraq will host the next Arab League summit — the country's first in 20 years. Associated Press reports that Arab League Secretary-General, Amr Moussa, will travel to Baghdad on Saturday to discuss preparations for the meeting. Bin Helli told reporters on Wednesday […]
US Sanctions Hamper Iraq Power Imports from Iran
Due to US sanctions, Iraq has been unable to pay Iran millions of dollars owed for electricity, an Iraqi official said, potentially damaging its efforts to supply enough power to a population suffering chronic shortages. According to the report from Reuters, Adel Mahdi, an adviser to the electricity ministry, said on Wednesday that Iraq imports […]
Zebari Heads Committee to Protect Iraqi Funds Abroad
A senior Finance Ministry official said on Wednesday that Iraq's Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari, will head a governmental committee developing mechanisms to protect Iraqi funds deposited in foreign banks after the UN Security Council resolution to withdraw its protection of those funds at the end of June. Diya Khayyoun, the Undersecretary of the Finance Ministry, […]
Weekly Security Update for 5th January 2011
Overview Last week saw a rise in the number of attacks taking place in Iraq. Militant activity was concentrated in the centre of the country and in the northern city of Mosul. There were at least three suicide bombings in Anbar and Ninawa provinces while a Kurdish civilian was reportedly kidnapped in Kirkuk. As warned […]
Shell to Build Private Dock on Shatt al-Arab
Royal Dutch Shell may build its own dock in Iraq's Shatt al-Arab waterway to speed up delivery of heavy equipment to its supergiant Majnoon oilfield, according to a report from Reuters. The head of the General Company of Iraqi Ports, Salah Kudhair, told the agency that it had given initial approval to a proposal from […]
France Wins $52m Power Distribution Contract in Basra
Iraq signed deals worth $52 million with France's Schneider Electric and Areva to build 15 power distribution stations in the southern oil hub of Basra, the province's deputy governor, Ahmed Hameed, said on Sunday. Schneider Electric, has won a $29 million contract to build eight distribution stations, while Areva was awarded a $23 million deal […]