The latest news from Kurdistan – security updates, reconstruction and more – brought to you by Iraq Business News.
By John Lee. Daily Sabah reports that Iraq has extended its ban on international flights to Iraqi Kurdistan by three months. The Iraq Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) reportedly told Erbil International Airport (EIA) that the ban on international flights to and from Erbil and Sulaymaniyah airports has been extended to the end of May. (Source: […]
By John Lee. A new report for the Atlantic Council argues that gas, being less politically fraught than oil, has the potential to serve as a key area of cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil and could help improve the reliability of electricity supply. In Shaping Iraq's Oil and Gas Future, Ellen Scholl recommends that: Baghdad […]
By John Lee. Chevron has reportedly announced that it had resumed drilling operations at the Sarta-3 well in Iraqi Kurdistan. The US company temporarily suspended operations in October following the controversial independence referendum, which increased tensions between Baghdad and Erbil. According to Kurdistan 24, it currently operates and holds an 80-percent contractor interest in two […]
Kirkuk Governorate Council has reportedly filed a complaint at the Iraqi Supreme Court against the federal government for taking unilateral steps on the governorate's oil. A press report on February 19 cited three moves that it said Baghdad has taken without consultation with local government: An agreement with British Petroleum (BP) to develop Kirkuk oil […]
By John Lee. A sharp fall in the value of the Iranian rial has reportedly reduced the price of Iranian goods in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq by 30 percent, boosting demand. According to Rudaw, trade between the Kurdistan Region and Iran amounted to $6 billion in 2016, falling to around $5.05 billion in 2017. […]
By John Lee. A new section of Erbil's largest road was reportedly opened on Monday. The five-kilometer stretch of the "120 Meter Road" will alleviate heavy traffic on the Erbil-Pirmam and Erbil-Koya roads, according to a report from Rudaw. The Hemn Group has pledged to finish the next phase of the project near the Kirkuk road […]
Genel Energy plc has announced that it has received an override payment of $7.05 million from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The payment represents 4.5% of Tawke gross field revenues for the month of November 2017, as per the terms of the Receivable Settlement Agreement. Taken together with the monthly entitlement payments for Taq Taq […]
By John Lee. The United Nations has advertised new positions in Iraqi Kurdistan: Future Forward Project Manager, Heartland Alliance for Human Needs Project Officer (Communications with Communities), IOM - International Organization for Migration A Deputy Head of Mission, Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) A Deputy Health Coordinator in Erbil, Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) MEAL Coordinator, Première […]
By John Lee. Genel Energy has announced the completion of competent person's reports ('CPRs') relating to the oil reserves and resources at Taq Taq, Bina Bawi, and Miran. McDaniel and Associates have updated the CPR relating to the Taq Taq field (Genel 44% working interest, joint operator). RPS Energy Consultants Ltd. ('RPS'), as part of […]
By John Lee. Erbil’s mayor has reportedly warned hotel and motel operators against taking advantage of the increased numbers of tourists by driving up prices and breaking contracts: Nabaz Abdulhamid told Rudaw: “Any hotel or motel owner that hikes up the prices and revokes the signed contracts will be punished severely.” In the past three […]
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation in the Kurdistan Region reiterated that the Ministry has not received any formal approval from Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi to lift the ban on international flights from the airports in the region. Asked whether Baghdad was trying to delay resolving the issue with Erbil, Omed Mohammed said that […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Oil Ministry has announced that it has signed an agreement to build a 70,000-bpd oil refinery near Kirkuk. The statement said the refinery would be built by "Rania international company", which Reuters refers to as Ranya International, which it says is based in Iraqi Kurdistan. The plant will produce high octane […]
