Iraqi Kurdistan sinking fast
The future of the KRI's oil sector is uncertain, with the federal government determined to bring all the country's production and exports back under its wing
With so much happening that was out of the ordinary it was a surprise to find something routine taking place. On 10 November, international oil companies operating in the Kurdish Region of Iraq (KRI) announced they had received their regular monthly payment for oil sales. So far so good. But the relief felt by those companies will be nothing compared to their anxiety about the future. The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) paid out a total of $100m to IOCs in November. It's inconceivable that outlays of this magnitude will be possible for long. The KRG often struggled to keep up with its IOC payments, just as it had difficulty providing regular wages to civil servants and Peshmerga fighters l
Also in this section
24 December 2025
As activity in the US Gulf has stagnated at a lower level, the government is taking steps to encourage fresh exploration and bolster field development work
23 December 2025
The new government has brought stability and security to the country, with the door now open to international investment
23 December 2025
A third wave of LNG supply is coming, and with it a likely oversupply of the fuel by 2028
22 December 2025
Weakening climate resolve in the developed world and rapidly growing demand in developing countries means peak oil is still a long way away
