Tag Archives | Kurdistan News

The latest news from Kurdistan – security updates, reconstruction and more – brought to you by Iraq Business News.

Hawrami Defends KRG Treatment of IOCs

By Padraig O'Hannelly. The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Minister of Natural Resources, Dr Ashti Hawrami (pictured), has defended the KRG's treatment of oil companies in the Region. This follows criticism by the head of Norwegian oil and gas operator DNO, which operates the Tawke block, at CWC Group’s Kurdistan-Iraq Oil & Gas Conference in London. Executive […]

KRG to offer 20 Oil Blocks in new Licensing Round

By Padraig O'Hannelly. The Kurdistan Regional Government's Minister of Natural Resources, Dr Ashti Hawrami, has announced that 20 new and redrawn oil blocks will become available for bidding in 2017. Speaking at this week’s Kurdistan-Iraq Oil & Gas Conference in London, arranged by CWC Group, the Minister said that contract terms "will continue to be […]

Former BG boss to take over from Hayward at Genel?

By John Lee. Sky News has learnt that the former head of BG Group, Chris Finlayson, is being lined up to take over from Tony Hayward as Chairman of Genel Energy‎. An appointment is unlikely to be finalised until sometime in the new year, and Genel is also considering other candidates for the role, according to […]

Exxon Pulls Out of 3 Blocks in Kurdistan

By John Lee. ExxonMobil has reportedly pulled out of three of the six exploration blocks it operated in Iraqi Kurdistan. According to Iraq Oil Report, it has abandoned the Qara Hanjeer, Arbat East, and Betwata blocks, while retaining 80 percent stakes in the Al Qosh, Pirmam and Bashiqa blocks. KRG's Minister of Natural Resources, Ashti […]

Deputy Prime Minister outlines KRG's Reform Initiatives

Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani outlined his government's reform initiatives during speech to the sixth Kurdistan Oil and Gas conference, organised by CWC Group, in London on Monday. Below is the transcript of Deputy Prime Minister's speech: Distinguished guest, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to warmly thank CWC for inviting me back again […]

Iraq Oil Exports Break Record

By John Lee. Iraq’s Ministry of Oil has said that total oil exports for November have reached a record high of 4.051 million bpd. The figure is made up of 3.407 million bpd from the southern oilfields, 64,000 bpd from Kirkuk, and 580,000 bpd exported from fields controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The Ministry […]

KRG Signs Oil Audit Deal with EY

The Kurdistan Regional Government signed an agreement with the multinational professional services firm, EY (Ernst & Young), to audit oil and gas processes in the Kurdistan Region. During the signing ceremony on Wednesday, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani described the agreement as an important step by the Kurdistan Regional Government to be more transparent in the […]

KRG opens new Oilfield Services Registration System

The Kurdistan Regional Government's Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has announced that the new online Oilfield Services Company (OSC) registration and Approved Vendor List (AVL) listing system, hosted by the MNR Portal, is now open for applications. Having successfully completed an eight-week pilot, the MNR invites OSCs wishing to provide services to operators in the […]

KRG "has taken Major Steps to Protect Women Rights"

KRG Prime Minister of Kurdistan Regional Government Nechirvan Barzani kicked off a two-week campaign to eliminate violence against women. During a speech on Sunday, Prime Minister Barzani said the Kurdistan Regional Government has taken important steps to legally protect women rights, however more awareness campaigns are needed to end the violation of women rights. Below […]

Iran, Turkey fight over Tal Afar

By Mustafa Saadoun for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.  “Tal Afar will be the cemetery of Turkish soldiers should Turkey attempt to take part in the battle,” Hadi al-Amiri, the head of the Badr Organization and a leader in […]

New Career Opportunities in Iraqi Kurdistan

By John Lee. The United Nations has advertised several new positions in Iraqi Kurdistan: Humanitarian Affairs Officer, United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Humanitarian Programme Associate, United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) National Administrative/Finance Officer, United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Program Officer, Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU), United Nations Assistance Mission for […]