Iraqi PM calls for review of oil licensing after 15 years
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered a reassessment of the country's oil licensing rounds, more than 15 years after they were first introduced.
According to a statement by the PM's media office, Al-Sudani met with representatives of major foreign oil companies operating in Iraq, along with officials, where he addressed several key issues in the energy sector, including on ending gas flaring, enhancing water injection, boosting oil field investment, and improving labor, social security, and regulatory coordination.
Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani chaired a meeting today, Sunday, with representatives of major foreign oil companies operating in Iraq, in the presence of the Minister of Oil, officials from the ministry, the Federal Board of Supreme Audit, the General Commission for Taxes,… pic.twitter.com/5OXtPT2bsB
— المكتب الإعلامي لرئيس الوزراء 🇮🇶 (@IraqiPMO) April 20, 2025
Iraq issued its oil licensing framework in 2009, launching a series of technical service contracts to attract foreign investment and rebuild its energy sector. Over the years, the country awarded multiple oil and gas fields through successive rounds, including the fifth and sixth, which concluded in 2024.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Gunmen target Israeli outpost in southern Syria
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, armed assailants opened fire on an Israeli military outpost in southern Syria before fleeing the area, in the latest cross-border incident near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The Golan Heights, internationally recognized as Syrian territory, has been occupied and later annexed by Israel since the 1967 and 1981 wars—a move not recognized by any country except the United States. According to local media outlet Daraa 24, the attack targeted the al-Jazeera outpost, located in Daraa province. Two gunmen riding a motorcycle reportedly approached from a nearby mortar launch point and opened fire, then escaped, though their identities remain unknown. Israeli forces returned fire indiscriminately toward civilian homes in the village, with no casualties or damage reported. A similar incident occurred on June 7, when unidentified individuals on motorcycles neared a checkpoint near the same outpost before retreating, prompting Israeli troops to open fire in response. Israeli forces have expanded their presence inside southern Syria since December 8, 2024, establishing buffer zones and reinforcing positions in territory formerly controlled by the al-Assad regime. Analysts view Israel's continued incursions and strikes as a major obstacle to restoring stable governance in post-conflict Syria. Tel Aviv maintains that its operations are aimed at preventing Iranian entrenchment near its borders, while Damascus accuses Israel of violating national sovereignty and undermining regional stability.
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Israel: Top Hamas Commander Mohammad al-Sinwar's body recovered
Shafaq News/ Israeli forces have recovered the body of senior Hamas commander Mohammad al-Sinwar during an underground operation beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, the military reported on Sunday. Forensic testing confirmed al-Sinwar's identity, according to military spokesperson Avichay Adraee. The raid, conducted in coordination with the Shin Bet security agency, also yielded weapons, documents, and personal belongings tied to al-Sinwar and Mohammad Shabaneh, commander of Hamas' Rafah Brigade. Al-Sinwar, the brother of former Hamas leader Yahya al-Sinwar, was reportedly killed in a May 13 airstrike targeting a Hamas tunnel network. Israeli media reported the recovery of multiple bodies from beneath the hospital complex. Troops also confiscated command infrastructure and intelligence materials now undergoing analysis. Yahya al-Sinwar, accused of masterminding the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, was killed in an Israeli strike in October 2024. With both brothers now confirmed dead, Israel claims it has neutralized two of Hamas' top military operatives. The development comes as Israel continues its offensive in Gaza. Since October 7, Gaza's Health Ministry has reported over 54,700 deaths and more than 125,800 injuries.
Shafaq News
5 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Parliament divided ahead of post-Eid session
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Parliament is bracing for a tense post-Eid al-Adha session, as lawmakers remain divided over key legislative proposals ahead of the November 11 elections. A political source previously told Shafaq News that factions within the Shiite-led Coordination Framework have tentatively agreed to push a series of amendments, including a new electoral system. The draft would allocate 80% of a party's votes to its top candidate, with the remaining 20% distributed among others—a move intended to consolidate political power and curb vote fragmentation. Lawmakers are also set to revisit stalled bills, including revisions to the Oil and Gas Law and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Law, aimed at reinforcing oversight of Iraq's energy and security sectors. Still, internal rifts threaten progress. Speaking to our agency, MP Mansour al-Muraid, a member of the Energy and Electricity Committee, questioned the timing and political intent behind the legislative push, warning that any law passed now could be framed as a 'partisan win,' further delaying consensus. He expects the electoral reform and other proposals to be postponed until the next parliamentary term. Al-Muraid also downplayed the likelihood of resolving the long-running Oil and Gas dispute, citing persistent friction between Baghdad and Erbil. 'The current political climate isn't conducive to compromise.' Meanwhile, MP Najat al-Taie of the Azm Alliance acknowledged behind-the-scenes efforts to secure quorum when Parliament reconvenes, which could help move select bills forward. However, she noted that only the electoral amendment enjoys broad enough backing for swift passage, while most proposals remain stalled by a lack of agreement. Notably, Azm, led by Muthanna al-Samarrai, has emerged as the largest Sunni bloc. It includes influential political figures such as former Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, former Deputy Prime Minister Rafi al-Issawi, and the Justice and Benevolence Movement (Harakat al-Adl wal-Ihsan).
