Member Info for Victor384

COMPLETELY OFF TOPIC - BUT I HAD TO SHOUT THIS TO THE WORLD - PETER MURRELL - STURGEON's HUSBAND - ARRESTED - FINALLY !!!! HOPEFULLY SHE WILL BE NEXT !

:-)

https://twitter.com/LawkGhafuri/status/1643143077257674752

Today, Prime Minister
@masrourbarzani
will land in Baghdad to sign the final agreement with the Iraqi PM
@mohamedshia
to resume oil exportation through Ceyhan.

The Kurdistan Region’s oil exportation through Ceyhan will resume today.

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/baghdad-krg-close-deal-resume-iraqs-northern-oil-exports-2023-04-01/

Bugsy911 - that speaks volumes.............

I too find the timing of this a bit odd - why now ?

One last throw of the dice.... ?

We will attach considerable importance to the water problem during our talks in Ankara. We appreciate the Turkish side's efforts to increase the shares of water released from their dams to Iraq. We will discuss with them how to cooperate and coordinate to ensure that Iraq obtains its water needs, which will be crucial for our development and agricultural progress.

Iraq also needs to activate diplomatic cooperation with Türkiye to promote tourism and facilitate the movement of both Iraqi and Turkish citizens across the border, which is supported by the willingness of the Turkish side to open a consulate in Najaf, in addition to its consulates in Basra, Irbil and Mosul.

We will also reaffirm our full solidarity with the Turkish people as they recover from the destruction and human loss caused by the devastating earthquakes last month. We will continue to provide all the assistance they need in this difficult time.

This visit comes at a significant time for the region as we work to improve cooperation and economic integration and development. These efforts are in accord with our domestic priorities in Iraq, in which we consider the fight against corruption paramount, as well as advancing economic growth so that the Iraqi people can see the signs of progress as quickly as possible.

The economic cooperation projects we seek with Ankara will contribute significantly to creating job opportunities across many of Iraq's governorates and will accelerate Iraq's transformation into a commercial center linking the European and Asian continents, and placing Iraq confidently on the map of world trade.

We are determined to diversify energy sources and invest in renewable energy projects to serve our development aspirations, and we are developing plans for cooperation with Türkiye to enhance our joint economic capabilities and according to timetables for priority projects.

The coming future will see greater economic engagement with Türkiye and all neighbors in our region because this engagement and joint cooperation is the only way to overcome the consequences of global crises and the challenges they impose on us all at this critical time. We emphasized this during the Baghdad II Summit held in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and during our recent visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Iraq's current approach is clear. We are focused on strengthening cooperation with our neighboring countries across the political, commercial and economic sectors in order to advance our country's programs and achieve our stated priorities. We will not deviate from our promise to provide for the needs of our Iraqi citizens and to give priority to the interests of Iraq and Iraqis in an atmosphere of cooperation and constructive dialogue with our friends and partners.

Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani is the current Prime Minister of Iraq

This article has been published by Rudaw through joint cooperation with Sudani's office.

The Iraqi PM Moh'd al-Sudani has hugely ambitious plans to increase and expand trade with Turkey from the current $20 billion a year and he specifically mentions energy.

"We will focus our talks with the Turkish side on strengthening Iraqi-Turkish relations across all sectors, especially energy and transportation with a railway extending to the Turkish border, allowing access to the port of Mersin and Europe, via Istanbul."

Iraq's border with Turkey is ALL in Kurdistan, so none of his plans can be implemented without the approval co-operation and participation of the Kurds.

So what will the Kurds say when he tells them he needs access through their territory for all this energy trade and a railway.

The negotiation of the new O&G Law will be interesting, by announcing his plans he's just presented the Kurds with a very strong hand.

This report was actually written by Mohammed al-Sudani:-

Rudaw an hour ago - Economic cooperation and dialogue to strengthen ties with Turkiye.

Our visit to Türkiye is of special importance, particularly amid recent positive developments in the Middle East regarding steps to enhance cooperation between our neighboring countries, mobilizing efforts to achieve economic integration, and resolving differences based on productive dialogue seeking to serve the best interests of people across our region.

We will focus our talks with the Turkish side on strengthening Iraqi-Turkish relations across all sectors, especially energy and transportation, as we endeavor to implement ambitious economic projects together. We want to transform Iraq into a hub for global trade that connects Asia and Europe through the Al-Faw Grand Port project and the associated commercial zones, residential compounds and tourist attractions.

This ambitious project aims to open the way for increased economic prosperity, strengthening economic and trade relations between Iraq and its neighbors, especially Türkiye. It will also connect Iraq with the countries of Europe and Asia. The Al-Faw Grand Port project will include the dry canal corridor formed by a highway and a railway extending to the Turkish border, allowing access to the port of Mersin and Europe, via Istanbul.

We will discuss the details of these projects with Turkish officials as part of our efforts to strengthen the economic and trade partnership with Türkiye, with whom Iraq's trade volume has reached approximately $20 billion, represented in Turkish imports of chemical products, seeds, grains and legumes, furniture, medicines, medical supplies, and Iraqi exports to Türkiye in the energy sector.

Regarding security, discussions will focus on border controls and cooperation between Iraq and Türkiye, especially in the exchange of intelligence and other information.

We will attach considerable importance to the water problem during our talks in Ankara. We appreciate the Turkish side's efforts to increase the shares of water released from their dams to Iraq. We wi

Im not advertising anything - I don't even mention ADFVN ! You did.

I'm merely passing on posts that 'may' be of interest to some on here, that's all. You don't have to read them if you find them so annoying - better still - just filter me. I really won't bother a gnats ass.

And if you mean by a 'has been' - a long in the tooth, disgruntled investor who has been waiting impatiently for years for this to come good ( as I think it will eventually ! ) well yes - I'm a 'has been' .

Toodle pip.............

Iraq And UAE Spearhead Downstream Expansion
Oilprice.com: (Mar 17 2023)

? Baghdad’s rapprochement with the KRG could stabilize oil production in the country’s North.

....." A more positive development this month is the rapprochement between Baghdad and the KRG, which have been at loggerheads about oil revenues from Iraq’s northern oil operations. According to Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani, Baghdad and the KRG government have reached an agreement to end the Baghdad – Erbil dispute over the Kurdistan region’s oil revenues. Al Sudani stated to the press that the Kurdish oil revenues will be put in a single account that both the PM and the Kurdistan PM will have control* over.

And the stakes in Iraq’s north are huge. Often dubbed as one of the last oil frontiers, the lifting cost for oil remains the lowest in the world at around U$2-3 per barrel, on a par with that of Saudi Arabia, and reserves are vast.

Genel, a major partner working in the Kurdish region oil and natural gas industry, has reported that year-end 2022 gross 2P reserves at its Tawke license (Genel holds 25% working interest) are 327 million barrels. According to DeGolyer and MacNaughton international petroleum consultants, production was 39 million bpd in 2022 with an upward technical revision of 9 million barrels.".....

hTtps://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Iraq-And-UAE-Spearhead-Downstream-Expansion.html

*Given the recent statements by the KRG, perhaps this should read "observance" rather than "control" regarding Baghdad, but its a positive report nevertheless.

"A joint account will be opened, but it will be managed by the KRG. The Iraqi government “won’t have access to do anything except observing,”

Iraq to have observer status over KRG oil revenue:

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - In what could be a breakthrough in a longstanding dispute between Erbil and Baghdad, the Kurdistan Region’s oil revenues will be held in a joint account, but the Iraqi government’s access will be limited to observation, according to a government source.

An advisor to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced the agreement on Thursday. “The high understanding and keenness of the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government resulted in what was stated in the federal budget, as for the first time since 2003 the region's oil revenues are in a known account and under the supervision of the federal government. And in light of that all other accounts were closed,” Hisham al-Rikabi tweeted.

A source within the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Rudaw English on Friday that a joint account will be opened, but it will be managed by the KRG. The Iraqi government “won’t have access to do anything except observing,” the source stated.

The KRG’s independent oil sales and revenue sharing between the regional and federal governments have been constant sources of friction between Erbil and Baghdad.

The President of Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, confirmed multiple times, most recently on Wednesday during the Suli Forum, that for the first time in history, there is a written agreement between the KRG and the federal government over on-going issues.

hTTps://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/170320232

As someone on another board has pointed out ( as a reminder )

" No one builds high capacity (extremely expensive) pipelines without intending to use them. - 36" diameter pipelines !

There has never been any incentive for the Kurds to increase production. All it would have meant is more interference from the ICG. IF the HCL is passed then all this will change. "

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/GKP/notice-of-2022-full-year-results-and-investor-presentations/15875740

Iraqi government coneve to discuss 2023 budget bill
Iraq News
2023 Budget Bill

2023-03-13 07:30

Font
Shafaq News / The Iraqi government, under the leadership of Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, convened a meeting on Monday to deliberate on the draft of the General Budget Law for the upcoming year of 2023.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's media office, it was reported that the Council held its customary session, with Al-Sudani presiding over it, during which the draft of the Federal General Budget Law was scrutinized and assessed.

Time : 2023/03/13 10:17:10

Member of the Parliamentary Energy: Almost unanimity on the oil and gas law and its passage after the adoption of the budget

Zainab Juma Al-Moussawi, a member of the Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Committee, explained on Monday that there is a quasi-political consensus as well as Kurdish convictions to pass the oil and gas law after the adoption of the 2023 budget.

Al-Musawi told Al-Furat News that "there are no concessions by the government towards the region, but there are ongoing understandings between Baghdad and Erbil on the oil and gas law."

She continued, "The law will join the oil relationship between Baghdad and Erbil, and the Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Committee pays great attention in order to reach the passage of this law, which will be fair and just in its provisions and does not allow any province to deviate from its contents and provisions."

Same judicial council that said all Kurdistan oil contacts were illegal ??

PM Barzani discusses Erbil-Baghdad relations with the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council
The latest developments in Iraq and the steps taken to prepare the draft laws of the Federal Supreme Court and oil and gas were discussed in the meeting. Kurdistan 24
12 Hours

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (right) during his meeting with Faiq Zidan, the President of the Supreme Judicial Council and Chief of the Federal Court of Cassation, March 8, 2023. (Photo: KRG)
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (right) during his meeting with Faiq Zidan, the President of the Supreme Judicial Council and Chief of the Federal Court of Cassation, March 8, 2023. (Photo: KRG)
Kurdistan PM Barzani Faiq Zidan Iraqi Supreme Federal Court KRG
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, on Wednesday received Faiq Zidan, the President of the Supreme Judicial Council and Chief of the Federal Court of Cassation in Erbil, according to a readout.

The latest developments in Iraq and the steps taken to prepare the draft laws of the Federal Supreme Court and oil and gas were discussed in the meeting, according to a readout from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Both sides agreed that there is a positive progress to resolve outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad, in accordance with the Iraqi constitution, the readout added.

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/GKP/shaikan-payment-update/15867892

One day Rodders.......

Iraq’s Energy Imports From Iran May Come To An End

By Simon Watkins - Feb 28, 2023, 6:00 PM CST
Iraq may end gas and electricity imports from Iran within 3 years.
Iraq has historically been dependent on Iran for around 40 percent of its power needs.
Iraq is set to capture associated gas from its oil fields to generate power while at the same time reducing flaring practices.
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Iraq’s recent announcement to end its importation of gas within the next three years will be carefully watched by Washington, as it would also mean the end to Iraq’s long-running dependence on Iran for gas supplies. In this context, when the U.S.-Iraq War ended in 2011, Washington wanted to keep open the possibility that it could rebuild its influence across the country, albeit in a more subtle way than had gone before. Part of this was to be done through acting essentially as Iraq’s lender of last resort, giving money to each new prime minister of Iraq who came asking for it regularly every year. The other part was trying to allow for a gradual weaning off in Iraq’s dependence on Iran for gas and electricity supplies - Iraq has historically been dependent on Iran for around 40 percent of its power needs. Washington hoped that by employing these two tactics, the historical broad and deep ties between Iraq and Iran might be reduced and that the U.S. might be able to reassert its presence in Iraq over time.

Kurdistan Region's share in the 2023 federal budget is 12.67 percent: Iraqi lawmaker

She reported that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi federal government have reached a final agreement on the budget issue. Kurdistan 24

Ikhlas Sabah Al-Dulaimi, a member of the Finance Committee of the Iraqi Parliament from the KDP, speaking to Kurdistan 24, Feb. 28, 2023. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)
I
Kurdistan Budget KRG Iraqi federal government Ikhlas Sabah Al-Dulaimi
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Ikhlas Sabah Al-Dulaimi, a member of the Finance Committee of the Iraqi Parliament from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), on Tuesday revealed the allocated share of the Kurdistan Region agreed to by the Iraqi government to Kurdistan 24.

She reported that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi federal government have reached a final agreement on the budget issue. The expenses (salaries and financial entitlements) of the Peshmerga forces will come from the civilian budget.

She also stated that until a new census in Iraq is conducted, the Kurdistan Region’s share of the federal budget will be 12.68%. After a census is completed, however, the allocation percentage will change to reflect the results of the population census of the Kurdistan Region.

Iraq’s budget for 2023 is nearly 200 trillion dinars, the largest budget in its history. The price of oil in the draft budget is estimated between $55 to $65 for 2023.

Iraq's oil minister meets a KRG delegation for talks on hydrocarbons law

Shafaq News/ Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Oil Minister, Thamir Ghadhban, on Thursday chaired a meeting with a delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) visiting Baghdad.

The meeting, according to a statement issued by the ministry, aimed to discuss and review a draft for the oil and gas law.

The Kurdish delegation headed by the region's minister of Justice, Firsat Mohammed, included high-profile officials from the Kurdistan Regional Government and the region's ministry of natural resources, the statement said.

The meeting was attended by the deputy minister for distribution affairs at the federal oil ministry, Laith al-Shaher, and officials from relevant departments at the ministry's headquarters.

Earlier today, KRG spokesperson Jutiar Adel said that a legal delegation from the region will be visiting Baghdad soon to contribute to drafting the 2023 budget and hydrocarbons bill.