Iraq Plans to Raise Oil Production Capacity Above 6 Million bpd by 2029

Construction underway to build a new refinery. Photo: Iraq's Oil Ministry
Construction underway to build a new refinery. Photo: Iraq's Oil Ministry
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Iraq Plans to Raise Oil Production Capacity Above 6 Million bpd by 2029

Construction underway to build a new refinery. Photo: Iraq's Oil Ministry
Construction underway to build a new refinery. Photo: Iraq's Oil Ministry

Iraq plans to raise oil production capacity to more than 6 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2029, the state news agency quoted Iraq's Oil Ministry as saying on Sunday.
Oil Ministry undersecretary Bassem Mohamed Khodeir told the agency that Iraq aims to achieve its target through oil exploration and nationwide drilling activity, pointing to a recent deal with oil major BP to redevelop four Kirkuk oil and gas fields.
Iraq's current oil output stands at about 4 million bpd, Oil Ministry officials say.
It is the second-largest producer within the OPEC+ group comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia and last month reaffirmed commitment to the group's output agreement. Iraq also said it would present an updated plan to compensate for any previous overproduction.



Report: US Energy Chief Wright Heads to Middle East for Nearly Two Weeks

US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright speaks to the media, outside of the West Wing of the White House, in Washington, DC, US, March 19, 2025. (Reuters)
US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright speaks to the media, outside of the West Wing of the White House, in Washington, DC, US, March 19, 2025. (Reuters)
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Report: US Energy Chief Wright Heads to Middle East for Nearly Two Weeks

US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright speaks to the media, outside of the West Wing of the White House, in Washington, DC, US, March 19, 2025. (Reuters)
US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright speaks to the media, outside of the West Wing of the White House, in Washington, DC, US, March 19, 2025. (Reuters)

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Wednesday will launch a nearly two-week tour of three Middle East countries, including Saudi Arabia, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The trip, which will also include visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, is expected to help lay the groundwork for President Donald Trump's own visit to those countries likely in mid-May.

It comes at a critical time, on the heels of Trump's surprise announcement on Monday that the US and Iran are having direct talks on Tehran's nuclear program and as global oil prices hit a near four-year low.

Oil prices have fallen on worries that Trump's latest tariffs could push economies around the world into recession at the same time OPEC+ oil producers speed up increases in production.