Tag Archives | Kurdistan News

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

Genel Energy gives update on Taq Taq Field

Genel Energy has announced an update on activity at the Taq Taq Field (Genel 44% working interest). Testing of the TT-32 well has now completed. The well flowed oil from three separate zones, with a maximum individual zone flow rate of c.5,500 bopd with a 36/64" choke. The free water level was encountered at 1458 […]

Genel shares Rise on Chevron Iraq Partnership

Shares in Genel Energy were trading up 6 percent on Monday afternoon after the company announced that it has reached agreement to acquire stakes in the Chevron-operated Sarta and Qara Dagh blocks (pictured), in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Genel will acquire 30% equity in the Sarta licence by paying a 50% share of ongoing […]

Erdogan's plans in Iraqi Kurdistan may Backfire

By Fazel Hawramy for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. For about 10 years, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which controls Erbil and Dahuk provinces in Iraq, has enjoyed close working relations with the Turkish government on trade, energy […]

GKP to Increase Production; Shares Rise

Shares in Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) closed 4.3 percent higher on Wednesday after the company provided an operational and corporate update. Operational Production operations, underpinned by strong performance of the Shaikan Jurassic reservoir, continue in line with expectations. Average gross production of 31,563 barrels of oil per day ("bopd") was achieved in 2018, at the […]

Kurdistan Tourism to "Double" by 2025

By John Lee. The head of Iraqi Kurdistan's Board of Tourism has reportedly said that tourism is expected to "approach" 15 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025. Mawlawi Jabar Wahab told Rudaw that this would be roughly double the sector’s current size. Visitor numbers are now beginning to climb once more, topping three […]

Genel Energy posts strong Trading Update

Genel Energy has issued the following trading and operations update in advance of the Company's full-year 2018 results, which are scheduled for release on 20 March 2019. The information contained herein has not been audited and may be subject to further review. Murat Özgül, Chief Executive of Genel, said: "2018 was a very positive year […]

HRW claims Children Tortured in Kurdistan

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq is torturing children to confess to involvement with the Islamic State (ISIS), according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). Children told Human Rights Watch that in 2017 and 2018, security officers, known as Asayish, used beatings, stress positions, and electric shock on boys in their custody. Most said […]

US gives $2.5m for Syrian Refugees in Iraq

The World Health Organization (WHO) extends its gratitude to the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (BPRM) for the generous contribution of US$ 2.5 million to increase the health security and resilience of Syrian refugees living in Iraq. In 2018, Iraq continued to host Syrian refugees. It is estimated that about […]

Report: Reviving Mediation on Disputed Internal Boundaries

From International Crisis Group. Reviving UN Mediation on Iraq’s Disputed Internal Boundaries The conflict over the disputed territories and the unresolved boundary of the Kurdish region has lingered for decades and occasionally spawned violence. These open issues leave both Iraq’s territorial unity and the governing system that would result from a reconfiguration of borders clouded […]

Poultry Industry "Booming" in Kurdistan

By John Lee. Iraqi Kurdistan poultry industry is reported to have dramatically increased over the last five years. Haider Farhan, head of Kurdistan Region’s poultry industry high council, told Rudaw that there are now 2,000 chicken farms in the Kurdistan Region, producing nearly 190 tons of meat annually. More here. (Source: Rudaw)

Hopes that Turkey will Lift Ban Sulaymaniyah Flights

By John Lee. Authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan are said to be hopeful that a meeting later this month between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Iraqi President Barham Salih will lead to Turkey lifting its ban on international flights crossing its airspace to land at Sulaymaniyah Airport (pictured). According to a report from Ahval News, Turkey […]