Letter from Iraq: Oil sector needs drastic reform
While its regional neighbours reap the rewards of oil and gas success, Iraq’s hydrocarbons sector is lagging behind
Iraq’s oil sector has been suffering from mismanagement since 2003, with major capital-intensive projects failing to deliver results. Over a decade ago, the future envisioned for Iraq’s energy sector was very different. In 2012, Iraq cooperated with the World Bank in preparing the Integrated National Energy Strategy, which was intended to cover 2013–30, and with the IEA in putting together a special report on the country’s energy prospects. One of the most important results of these two activities was that Iraqi authorities became convinced of the need to seriously reconsider previously contracted production targets and to amend existing contracts. The official call for a review of licensing

Also in this section
3 April 2025
Gas use in India has seen significant growth over the past year and looks set to accelerate further, even if the government’s 2030 goal remains a stretch
3 April 2025
IOCs and Western lenders are reluctant to commit to new oil and gas projects in African frontier countries
2 April 2025
The often-hidden yet powerful hand maintains supply chain linkages and global flows amid disruptions
2 April 2025
At some point it is likely that $70/bl will be quietly accepted as the producer-consumer sweet spot for a US administration having to balance both sides of the ledger