Iraqi Oil Minister Supports Output Increase Projects

A worker is seen at Iraq's Majnoon oilfield near Basra, Iraq, March 31, 2021. Picture taken March 31, 2021. (Reuters)
A worker is seen at Iraq's Majnoon oilfield near Basra, Iraq, March 31, 2021. Picture taken March 31, 2021. (Reuters)
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Iraqi Oil Minister Supports Output Increase Projects

A worker is seen at Iraq's Majnoon oilfield near Basra, Iraq, March 31, 2021. Picture taken March 31, 2021. (Reuters)
A worker is seen at Iraq's Majnoon oilfield near Basra, Iraq, March 31, 2021. Picture taken March 31, 2021. (Reuters)

Iraq’s Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar expressed keenness to implement sustainability projects and increase the output of crude oil and gas at the oilfields of North Oil Company in Kirkuk, 250 km to the north of Baghdad.

During his visit to the company’s headquarters on Sunday, he stated that the government and the ministry are determined to boost the production at the company.

The Ministry aims to address technical, economic and security challenges in an expedited manner.

It also seeks to increase and sustain production based on national efforts as well as cooperation with global firms.

Jabbar called for fast-forwarding the implementation of optimal gas investment and output increase projects.

He discussed with senior officials at the company ways to develop output and optimize the investment of flare gas. They further addressed efforts to supply power stations with sufficient quantities of dry gas.

"The administration of the Basra and the south oil companies and the relevant departments in the Ministry are putting the final touches to the proposed project scheduled to be signed in the upcoming period," a statement of the Ministry of Oil said on June 19.

Jabbar, said: "These projects are a priority in the Ministry's plans for an optimal investment of flared gas and upholding the infrastructure."

He urged oil companies to intensify meetings and talks regarding the technical, financial, legal, economic, and contractual aspects with the national companies and relevant departments and experts.

The purpose behind this is to reach the ideal drafting of contracts and agreements with international companies and therefore obtain the highest profit to Iraq.



Moody’s Lifts Oman to Investment Grade, Citing Stronger Debt Metrics

Visitors and locals gather at the Mutrah Corniche in Muscat, Oman, April 11, 2025. (AP)
Visitors and locals gather at the Mutrah Corniche in Muscat, Oman, April 11, 2025. (AP)
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Moody’s Lifts Oman to Investment Grade, Citing Stronger Debt Metrics

Visitors and locals gather at the Mutrah Corniche in Muscat, Oman, April 11, 2025. (AP)
Visitors and locals gather at the Mutrah Corniche in Muscat, Oman, April 11, 2025. (AP)

Credit ratings agency Moody's upgraded Oman's long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings to "Baa3" from "Ba1" on Thursday, citing expectations of continued improvement in debt ratios and resilience to lower oil prices.

"We expect Oman's debt metrics to remain robust and consistent with a Baa3 rating even under alternative scenarios where oil prices moderate below our medium-term assumption of $65/barrel," Moody's said in a statement.

The agency, however, revised Oman's outlook to "stable" from "positive", noting that the country's medium-term fiscal outlook remains vulnerable to declines in global oil demand and prices due to its still-heavy economic and fiscal reliance on the hydrocarbon sector.

Moody's said stronger debt metrics provide the government with greater fiscal space and time to implement structural reforms that could, over time, reduce its dependence on hydrocarbons and potentially support a higher rating.