Renewed drone threats put Iraq’s energy recovery at risk

Twin threats to southern oil exports and Kurdistan's gas supply show Iran-aligned armed groups can still hit Iraq's energy lifelines.

A ship docks at the al-Basra Oil Terminal on Nov. 27, 2013. (ESSAM AL-SUDANI)

Energy

Hamrin deal signed as Iraq accelerates U.S. oil partnerships

The contract sets a production target of 140,000 bpd and extends a wave of agreements with American companies ahead of Prime Minister Zaidi's visit to Washington.

Politics

Maarij arrested in widening corruption crackdown

A second deputy oil minister has been ensnared in an expanding operation that has also taken down several MPs, with potential to reshape Iraq's political power balance.

Security

As Iraq tries to rein in paramilitary groups, oil sector threats remain

Several armed groups say they will put their weapons under state control, but the most aggressive Iran-backed fighters remain outside the process.

Interviews

Q&A: Bassim Mohammed Khudair, Deputy Oil Minister for Upstream

Iraq's top upstream oil official confirms that production, curtailed by war, is ready to surge back online — but only once ships can reliably resume Basra Gulf export loadings.