Iraq is squandering an opportunity to lay the groundwork for long-term growth
Baghdad risks wasting its moment
Political paralysis is preventing Iraq from capitalising on renewed international enthusiasm for upstream investment
Iraq’s oil sector is, by short-term metrics, enjoying the rude health to be expected of a major producer during an extended market bull run. Monthly export revenues hit a five-decade high in March, followed in April by a substantial rise in output—taking the country to within a whisker of filling its Opec quota for the first time this year. A series of recent announcements from the Ministry of Oil (MoO) indicated that the windfall was being duly deployed to renew development spending at state-managed oilfields. However, opportunities to lay the foundations for long-term output growth are being squandered because of political paralysis. The country remains without a permanent government nine
Also in this section
6 February 2026
The long close relationship between key supplier Qatar and pivotal buyer Japan becomes even deeper following new landmark deal
6 February 2026
Partnerships across the LNG value chain have evolved over time, growing in both complexity and importance, according to panellists at LNG2026
6 February 2026
Nigeria's mega-refinery is still trying to solve many challenges, all while its owner talks up expansion
5 February 2026
While broadly supportive of EU efforts to tackle methane emissions, representatives of the gas industry warn it could deter supply contracting if timelines and compliance requirements are not made more pragmatic
