Iraqi oil minister Ihsan Ismael (left) and prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi at the Rumaila oilfield
Iraq shrugs off partner uncertainty to lift long-term target
The country has lifted its long-term production target to 8mn bl/d despite continued murmurings about IOC dissatisfaction
Iraq has shelved its previous 7mn bl/d production target for 2027 in favour of an even more ambitious 8mn bl/d figure, oil minister Ihsan Ismael told the state-owned Iraq News Agency (Ina) in early August. And it has also agreed drilling contracts with a number of IOCs, as the country tries to dispel the impression that it could suffer a mass exodus of foreign investors. By short-term metrics, July was an exceptionally positive month for the federal government’s oil sector, with soaring prices combined with ongoing easing of Opec-mandated cuts driving revenues to a 19-month high. Export revenues climbed to $6.51bn last month, 87pc higher year-on-year and the highest since December 2019,
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
1 April 2026
The US-Iran conflict demonstrates the need for diversification in several senses of the word. It also exposes the limits of Washington applying pressure on major oil and gas producers it considers geopolitical adversaries
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally
