Iraqi Economists Network

Investment contracts for drilling new wells

The Iraqi Drilling Company has announced its intention to conclude contracts with Chinese and American companies operating in Iraq to drill and rehabilitate dozens of oil wells in the country. The company indicated it is about to start drilling 20 wells in the Nasiriyah field in Dhi Qar, which are included in a long-term plan with the Dhi Qar Oil Company to advance the oil sector, due to be completed in over two years. After the relative relaxation of the impacts of the Coronavirus, the Iraqi Drilling Company resumed its negotiations with the international companies developing oil fields in the country and their counterparts affiliated with the Ministry of Oil in the provinces, in preparation for signing the postponed contracts with the aim of enhancing Iraq’s energy capabilities.

Iraq inaugurates project to increase and green Basra refinery output

Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi on Sunday laid the cornerstone for a project set to increase the South Refineries Company (SRC) production capacity in Iraq’s key Basra Port while also working towards greater environmental sustainability. “This project will increase our production capacity by 55,000 barrels per day,” Al-Kadhimi noted during the ceremony, “and give us oil products without leaving us with large volumes of low-value oil”. The project will build the Continuous Catalytic Cracker (CCR) and Naphtha Hydrotreating (NHT) units. The contract was signed in October between SRC and Iraq’s Ministry of Oil with Japan’s JGC Corporation.

UNESCO announces winning architectural design of competition to rebuild Al-Nouri Mosque complex in Mosul

An international jury today announced that an entry by eight Egyptian architects won the international competition for the reconstruction of the historic Al-Nouri Mosque complex in Mosul, Iraq, a major component of UNESCO’s ambitious project for the rehabilitation of the ancient city, Revive the Spirit of Mosul.

Kurdish, Iraqi leaders voice hope of better relations as 2021 budget passed

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Kurdistan Region and Iraqi leaders have spoken of their hope and optimism that the Wednesday passage of the 2021 budget bill will lead to closer ties between Erbil and Baghdad. The budget approval puts an end to months of disputes between Erbil and Baghdad over the Kurdistan Region’s share of federal funds. “We hope that this becomes a precursor for developing relations between the Kurdistan Region, the federal government, and all political parties,” Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani said in a statement early Thursday morning.