Kurdistan's oil sector
Kurdistan cash set to go elsewhere
The region’s main operators have oil price boom earnings burning a hole in their pockets, but they may well be largely deployed elsewhere
The three firms most prominent in Kurdistan’s oil sector are taking differing approaches to what to do with coffers bolstered by the sustained high price environment. UK-headquartered Gulf Keystone is aiming to boost production from its key asset in the region, as well as returning cash to shareholders. But both Norway’s DNO and AIM-listed Genel Energy, while maintaining Kurdish production, may focus on deploying their growing capital elsewhere. The former has entered Cote d’Ivoire and has a raft of prospects in its home Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) market. The latter has committed itself to making a transformative acquisition, but there is no certainty it will be in Kurdistan. Gulf Key
Also in this section
2 April 2026
Alongside a rapid continued build-out of renewables, China’s latest five-year plan stresses the value of domestic hydrocarbon production for energy security and calls for increased Russian gas imports
2 April 2026
The government is taking important steps to revive domestic production, lift investment and benefit from the geopolitical crisis even if more needs to be done in the longer term
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
