GE Synchronizes Gas Turbines at Zubair Power Plant
By John Lee. GE Gas Power has said it has "marked a major milestone" by synchronizing two GT13E2 gas turbines to the national grid at the Zubair Permanent Power Generation Plant. The facility is owned by the Basra Oil Company (BOC) and located at the Zubair oil field, about 20 kilometers from the city of […]
Drilling approved at East Baghdad Oil Field
By John Lee. Iraq is to renew the contract to drill three new directional (non-vertical) oil wells in the East Baghdad oil field. The decision was approved at the meeting of the Iraqi Cabinet on Tuesday. The field is being developed by China's ZhenHua Oil. (Source: Govt of Iraq)
Talks on Double Taxation & Tax Evasion with Turkey
By John Lee. The Cabinet held its weekly meeting on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi. Following discussions, the Cabinet decided to authorise the Minister of Planning to negotiate and sign a draft agreement on double taxation and tax evasion between Iraq and Turkey. (Source: Govt of Iraq)
Mosul Museum Reopens
By Joe Snell for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Scarred but still standing, Mosul museum reopens at last Ninevah's renowned cultural heritage museum, known for the Islamic State's disastrous attack on its treasures, has finally reopened to the […]
Jordan Finds Gas Field near Iraqi Border
By John Lee. Jordan has found new reserves of natural gas at its Risha field, close to its border with Iraq. Hala Zawati, the Jordanian Energy Minister, said: "... drilling operations at Well 53 in the Risha field have shown promising results, while exploration and drilling operations continue at wells 50, 51 and 52." (Source: […]
Nokia Wins Contract with Asiacell in Iraq
By John Lee. Finland's Nokia has announced that Asiacell Telecom has chosen the company to provide nationwide network optimization for two years starting January 2021. According to a press release: "This partnership will leverage Nokia's global capabilities in network planning and optimization technology to boost Asiacell's competitive edge and transform its operational platforms for the […]
Moody's announces Periodic Review of Iraq's Ratings
By John Lee. Moody's Investors Service has said that Iraq's credit profile (issuer rating Caa1) "is supported by the country's 'ba2' economic strength ... its 'caa3' institutions and governance strength ... its 'ba3' fiscal strength ... and its 'caa' susceptibility to event risk". The company made the announcement on Monday following its periodic review of […]
Iraqi Dinar Falls in Value
By John Lee. Dinar value falls as Iraq contemplates currency devaluation MPs say Iraq's 2021 budget is likely to bring a significant drop in the value of the dinar, helping the government's balance sheet but hurting the purchasing power of most Iraqis. More details here from Iraq Oil Report (subscription required) (Source: Iraq Oil Report) […]
Egypt wins Strong Foothold in Iraq's Reconstruction
By Amr Mostafa for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Egypt wins strong foothold in Iraq's reconstruction Millions of Egyptian workers may benefit from their government's involvement in Iraq's massive reconstruction process. Click here to read the full story.
Iraqi Govt presses ahead with Early Elections
By Omar al-Jaffal for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqi government presses ahead with early elections next year The Iraqi government is striving to make the legal and political preparations for elections in June 2021, amid multiple political […]
KRG to Resume Override Payments to Genel
By John Lee. Genel Energy has received notice from the Kurdistan Regional Government ('KRG') that override payments, whereby Genel receives 4.5% of monthly Tawke gross field revenues, will resume with the January 2021 invoice, to be paid in February 2021. Assuming the prevailing oil price, this translates into over $5 million of additional cash proceeds […]
China "Set to Bail Out Iraq" with Oil Deal
By John Lee. Iraq is reportedly poised to sign a multibillion-dollar contract with China's ZhenHua Oil, in what Bloomberg describes as a bailout from Beijing. Under the deal, Iraq's cash-strapped government which will receive money upfront in exchange for long-term oil supplies. Click here to read the full article. (Source: Bloomberg)