New Well at Taq Taq is Close to Production
Genel Energy has announce an update on activity at the Taq Taq field (Genel 44% working interest), as testing of the TT-34 well is nearing completion. The well has produced from all zones tested, at a maximum combined flow rate of over 3,900 bopd with 28/64" choke. With the inclusion of test production, gross production […]
Chevron pulls US staff from Kurdistan
By John Lee. Chevron has reportedly removed all of its American oil workers from Iraqi Kurdistan as a security precaution, following the killing of Iranian Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. The company currently has interests in the Sarta and Qara Dagh blocks. (Sources: Reuters, CNN)
Video: Trump Threatens Iraq with Sanctions
From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. US President Donald Trump ratcheted up his rhetoric with Iran and Iraq late on Sunday, warning of a "major retaliation" if Iran strikes back to avenge the US assassination of one of its […]
Sandoog Strengthens Advisory Board
By John Lee. Iraqi last-mile delivery service Sandoog has announced that Ahmed Al Shagra (pictured) has joined its advisory board. Co-Founder Mustafa Al Obaidi informed Iraq Business News: "Ahmed brings a wealth of experience in building successful startups (currently 'Intajy') as well as being an advisor and mentor with key, regional ecosystem institutions." (Source: Sandoog)
NATO Temporarily Suspends Training in Iraq
Speaking after the meeting of NATO’s North Atlantic Council, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed that the safety of NATO’s personnel in Iraq is paramount and that the Alliance had temporarily suspended training activities on the ground. He added that NATO was prepared to continue training and capacity-building when the situation permits, emphasizing that the Alliance […]
Non-Binding Decision to End US Troop Presence
By Omar Sattar for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqi parliament takes nonbinding decision to end US troop presence At an extraordinary session in the absence of all Kurdish and most Sunni parliament members, the Iraqi parliament passed […]
Cabinet Increases Budget for Kirkuk Olympic Stadium
By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet has approved an increase in the total budget for the Kirkuk Olympic Stadium project to 33,500,000,000 dinars ($28 million). In a statement, it said it had directed relevant ministries to take the necessary measures to implement this measure. (Source: Iraqi Govt)
Coalition Forces Suspend anti-ISIS Ops
By John Lee. The US-led coalition fighting the so-called Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) has announced the suspension of operations. In a statement, Operation Inherent Resolve said: "Our first priority is protecting all Coalition personnel committed to the defeat of Daesh. Repeated rocket attacks over the last two months by elements of Kata'ib Hezbollah […]
Backgrounders on Qasem Suleimani
For those wanting to know more about Major General Qasem Suleimani and his significance in Iraq, we'd recommend this excellent 10,000-word piece written by Dexter Filkins for The New Yorker in 2013. (Hat tip to Mary FitzGerald for bringing it to our attention on her excellent @MaryFitzger Twitter feed). Click here to read. There is […]
Video: Protests Against US and Iranian Interference
From AFP. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Students protest against American and Iranian interference Iraqi students take to the streets in the Iraqi city of Karbala to protest against the US and Iran's interference in Iraq. View on YouTube
Tracing Iraqi Sovereign Debt
By John Lee. Simon Hinrichsen, a PhD student at the London School of Economics (LSE), has published an analysis of Iraq's sovereign debt over the years. The full 51-page report can be downloaded here. (Source: LSE)
GardaWorld Weekly Security Report
GardaWorld, a global leader in comprehensive security and risk management, has made its weekly security report available to Iraq Business News readers. Prepared by GardaWorld's Risk Analysis Team in Iraq, this essential report includes short- and medium-term outlooks on the security situation, reports and commentary on recent significant events, and a detailed overview of developments […]