News


Iraqi PM: Baghdad Unable to Export Oil Without Kurds

Dec 29, 2014 | Mewan Dolamari, Basnews

The Iraqi Prime Minister has said that without reaching an agreement with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Baghdad cannot export oil from fields in the…


Iran/Iraq: Iran Approves $15 Billion Plan to Develop Oilfields With Iraq

Dec 29, 2014 | Kambiz Foroohar, Blomberg

Iran’s cabinet approved a four-year $15 billion plan to jointly develop oilfields with Iraq that will increase the nation’s production capacity by 550,000 barrels a…


South Sudan: UN Boosts Food Assistance As ‘Very Critical’ Nile Corridor Reopens

Dec 29, 2014 | United Nations

A barge carrying a shipment of food destined for thousands of people in South Sudan has crossed over from neighbouring Sudan, reopening a long-closed river…


Business's Bribery Shifts Country Dividends To A Privileged Few

Dec 28, 2014 | J. Yanqui Zaza, The Perspective

For big business to get its sweet heart deal, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf paid $31,000, predictably, to each Liberian Senator, to approve an Oil Agreement…


DRC: 15 Killed in Illegal Mine in Democratic Republic of Congo

Dec 28, 2014 | Press TV

At least 15 people have suffocated to death while working in an illegal mine in the southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Mayor Deoda Kapenda…


Iraq: Iraq Pins Hope on Privatisation as Oil Price Falls and War Against ISIL Takes Its Toll

Dec 28, 2014 | The National

Iraq plans to divest state-owned enterprises as part of a major privatisation push to diversify income and revenues in light of lower oil prices and…


Iraq: Belgian Jet Fighters Destroy ISIL-Used Oil Refinery in Iraq

Dec 28, 2014 | Kuwait News Agency

Two Belgian F-16 fighter jets have destroyed an oil refinery which was being used to supply fuel for ISIL vehicles in western Iraq. According to…


Libya: Libyan Militias Set Fire to Storage Tanks in Renewed Push for Oil, Foreign Minister Says

Dec 28, 2014 | New York Times

Libya’s foreign minister said Sunday that militant groups were making a renewed push to seize oil resources, after an assault on eastern terminals set storage…


China, Viet Nam, South China Sea: China, Vietnam to Address Maritime Disputes without Using 'Megaphone Diplomacy:' Xinhua

Dec 27, 2014 | Pete Sweeney, Reuters

Senior Chinese and Vietnamese officials have agreed to settle their maritime disputes without resorting to "megaphone diplomacy", the official Xinhua news service said on Saturday.

The…


China, Viet Nam, South China Sea: China, Vietnam to Address Maritime Disputes without Using 'Megaphone Diplomacy:' Xinhua

Dec 27, 2014 | Pete Sweeney, Reuters

Senior Chinese and Vietnamese officials have agreed to settle their maritime disputes without resorting to "megaphone diplomacy", the official Xinhua news service said on Saturday.

The…


Resource Curse: Africa’s Rich Oil: The New Political Scramble and Core Causes for Conflict around the Continent (Part 2)

Dec 26, 2014 | Josephus Moses Gray, GNN Liberia

The African continent which is blessed with riches is drawing new interests from powerful and influential countries and companies around the globe owing to its…


South Sudan: CNPC, S. Sudan in MoU to Boost Oil Production

Dec 26, 2014 | Daily Times NG

China National Petro­leum Co has entered an agreement with South Sudan to boost production of existing oilfields in the young African state. This is according…


Iraq/Kuwait: Kuwait Energy Announces Second Oil Find in Iraq

Dec 25, 2014 | Trade Arabia

Kuwait Energy, an independent oil and gas exploration and production company, said a consortium led by the company, has made its second oil discovery in…


Libya: Fighters Clash With Troops Defending Oil Sites

Dec 25, 2014 | New York Times

Islamist militia fighters killed at least 22 soldiers on Thursday during a surprise attack in which they used speedboats in a bid to seize some…


Iran/Iraq: Iran Calls for Boosting Oil, Gas Cooperation with Iraq

Dec 24, 2014 | Umid Niayesh, Trend

Iran and Iraq can boost cooperation in oil and gas sector, the Islamic Republic’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said, Iran’s Fars news agency reported Dec.…


Iraq: Oil Price Drop Causes $43 bln. Cut in Iraq's Budget

Dec 24, 2014 | Middle East Monitor

On Tuesday, Iraq's cabinet approved the country's 2015 budget, which included a $43 billion reduction from last year.

Ahmed Haji Rashid said: "The drop in oil…


Falling Oil Prices and the Consequences for Sub-Saharan Africa

Dec 23, 2014 | Amadou Sy, Brookings Institution

Yesterday, in reaction to the recent, dramatic drop in oil prices, Africa Growth Initiative Nonresident Fellow Rabah Arezki and International Monetary Fund Chief Economist  Olivier…


Iraq: Baiji Refinery ‘More Than a Year’ From Re-start

Dec 23, 2014 | Iraq Oil Report

Iraq's largest oil refinery still faces enormous obstacles before it can resume operations, one month after Iraqi forces regained control of the city of Baiji…


Iraq/Kurdistan: Plunging Oil Prices Hurt Iraqi Kurds' Bid for Independence

Dec 23, 2014 | Peter Schwartzstein, National Geographic

The Kurdish capital is built on oil. From the high-rise apartment blocks that ring the broad outer boulevards, to the streetside jungle gyms and gleaming…


Sudan: Sudan Plans to Increase Gold, Minerals Production

Dec 23, 2014 | Sudan Vision

Khartoum - In accordance with the governmental directions to increase minerals production as a method to support the general Revenues of the state, the ministry…


Video Now Available: Jon Barnett, 2nd Al-Moumin Distinguished Lecture on Environmental Peacebuilding

Dec 22, 2014 | ELI & UNEP

On October 8th, Professor Jon Barnett delivered the Second Annual Al-Moumin Distinguished Lecture on Environmental Peacebuilding, on the topic “Climate Change and Security: From Vicious…


Liberia/Nigeria: Liberia, Nigeria Ratify Oil Production Deal

Dec 22, 2014 | Chika Izuora, Leadership

The legislature in Liberia has given its nod to a production sharing arrangement with a Nigerian oil firm operating in that country.

The Liberian Senate at…


South Sudan: Oil for Peace? China to Send 700 Peacekeepers to S. Sudan, Signs Energy Deal

Dec 22, 2014 | RT

China has announced it will deploy a 700-strong infantry battalion in South Sudan at the beginning of 2015. It comes as the war-torn African country…


Iraq: Iraq Oil Key for Turkey, Says Energy Minister

Dec 22, 2014 | Hurriyet Daily News

Turkey is about to make new deals with new companies, which will be of great importance to Iraqi oil, Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said at…


China/South China Sea: International Law and the South China Sea

Dec 22, 2014 | Truong-Minh Vu and Trang Pham, The Diplomat

China’s position paper published on December 7, 2014 is one of the rare documents in which Beijing officially expressed its opinions on the issues in…


Iraq/Kurdistan: Iraq Says to Start Work on Final Oil Deal with Kurdish Region in Weeks

Dec 22, 2014 | Rania El Gamal, Reuters

Iraq's Kurdish region will continue to export its own crude oil under an initial deal with Baghdad until a comprehensive deal is reached, with work…


South Sudan: War-Torn South Sudan Under Economic Attack from Fall in Oil Price

Dec 21, 2014 | Javier Blas and Katrina Mansion, Financial Times

War-torn South Sudan is receiving what traders say is arguably the lowest oil price in the world, $20-$25 a barrel, because of falling prices and…


Iraq: Islamic State Once Again Blockades Iraq's Biyi Oil Refinery

Dec 21, 2014 | Fox News Latino

The jihadist Islamic State on the weekend reimposed its blockade on the Iraqi oil refinery of Biyi, in northern Saladdin province, after clashes with the…


South Sudan/Sudan: Unity State Authorities Accuse Sudan Companies of Mining in S Sudan

Dec 20, 2014 | Radio Tamazuj

The commissioner of Pariang County, Unity State accused Sudanese oil and mining companies  of illegal mining and drilling in South Sudanese territory.

Commissioner Monylang Manyiel said…


Bangladesh: ‘Land Grabbing Is The Reason Behind Every Attack in The CHT’

Dec 20, 2014 | Abid Azad, Dhaka Tribune

Land grabbing is the main reason for the arson attack this Victory Day on homes, shops and a temple belonging to non-Bangalis in Naniarchar upazilla…