Tag Archives | Kurdistan News

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

Maliki Holds Talks with Exxon Boss

By John Lee. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki held talks with ExxonMobil chief Rex Tillerson (pictured) on Monday. AFP reports that the meeting was the first between the two since the firm signed an oil exploration agreement with Kurdistan in October 2011, a move which angered Baghdad, which has said the company must choose between its deals with […]

Pres Barzani Hosts Annual Diplomatic Corps Mtg

President of Iraqi Kurdistan, Masoud Barzani, hosted foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations based in Erbil last week to discuss the latest political and economic developments in Kurdistan and in Iraq and to reflect on 2012. The annual gathering, attended by Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir, Head of KRG Department of Foreign Relations, touched on […]

Genel Updates on Trading and Operations

Genel Energy has issued the following trading and operational update in advance of the Company's 2012 full year results, which are scheduled for release on 28 February 2013. Information contained within this release is un-audited and may be subject to further review. Tony Hayward (pictured), Chief Executive said: "2012 saw a strong production performance and […]

American University of Iraq Seeks New President

By John Lee. The American University of Iraq, Sulaimani, invites nominations and applications for the position of President. AUIS is a private, non-profit higher education institution founded in 2007 to provide a student-centered American-style education that embodies the philosophy, standards, and teaching practices of the American higher education model. AUIS admits all qualified students regardless […]

Tensions Rise Over BP Kirkuk Deal

By John Lee. Reuters has reported that BP will undertake work to arrest declining production at the Kirkuk oilfield, in a move that has outraged the Kurdistan Regional Government. Abdul Mahdy al-Ameedi, head of the oil ministry's Petroleum Contracts and Licensing Directorate (PCLD), told The Wall Street Journal that a request has been sent to […]

KRG Hits Out at Baghdad over Oil Policy

The Kurdistan Regional Government has issued a strongly-worded statement challenging the policy of the Federal Government and the Ministry of Oil: The Kurdistan Regional Government is proud of the achievements of its oil and gas industry since the fall of the former regime in 2003. It expects the federal government of Iraq to be proud […]

Video: Tensions Flare over Kirkuk

From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Kurdish military officials and the Iraqi central government are currently trying to defuse an armed confrontation over a disputed northern territory. Kurdish military officials said the forces of Nouri al-Maliki, Iraqi prime minister, […]

Iraq Reserves Right to Sue over Oil Exports

Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) has issued a statement suggesting it will take legal action against companies exporting crude oil without dealing with the central government, including the confiscation of cargoes and the filing of lawsuits against sellers, buyers and transporters. The statement reads as follows: "In accordance with the provisions of Laws No. […]

Kuwait Energy In, Turkey's TPAO Out

By John Lee. Iraq has approved the deal under which Kuwait Energy would replace Turkey's state-owned Turkiye Petrolleri AO (TPAO) on the Block-9 exploration contract. Abdul-Mahdy al-Ameedi, director of the ministry's contracts directorate, told Reuters: "Kuwait Energy has acquired the stake of the Turkish company TPAO, and now it's holding 70 percent of the contract, […]

Genel Energy Starts Direct Oil Export to Turkey

By John Lee. Genel Energy has started shipping crude oil directly into Turkey from its Taq Taq oil field (pictured) in Iraqi Kurdistan, two weeks after exports from the region were halted, reports Bloomberg. According to the report, the KRG won’t resume exports through the central government pipeline network until the federal authorities pay the […]

Video: Iraqi Town Caught in Middle of Territory Dispute

Tuz Khurmatu, a town of low-rise buildings, palm trees and some 110,000 residents, is in a swathe of territory Kurdistan wants to incorporate in its autonomous region over Baghdad's strong objections. For the people of Tuz Khurmatu, simmering tensions between Baghdad and Kurdistan cause fear and are also bad for business: (Source: AFP)

Kurdistan and South Korea Cement Relations

Minister Falah Mustafa, the KRG's Head of Foreign Relations, met with Mr Tae-In Chung, the Deputy Director General for the African and Middle Eastern Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of South Korea to discuss bilateral ties. Both sides discussed areas of cooperation in political, economic, and cultural fields between Kurdistan […]