Thursday, November 16, 2017

The K.R.G. and Iraq: The Time of Oil Diplomacy

BACCI-The-KRG-and-Iraq-The-Time-of-Oil-Diplomacy-Nov.-2017-Cover


My article “The KRG and Iraq: The Time of Oil Diplomacy” has been published on November 16, 2017 by Ekurd Daily, a news portal analyzing Iraqi Kurdistan. The article is exclusive to Ekurd Daily.

November 16, 2017
LONDON, United Kingdom

ABSTRACTThe article discusses in a neutral way the current tense political relationship between the Kurdistan Regional Government (K.R.G.) and Iraq proper with specific attention given to the repercussions that a strained relationship might have for the K.R.G. oil and gas industry. All the assertive steps implemented by the federal government in October 2017 and in the first weeks of November 2017—in particular, retaking control of the oil fields in and around the Kirkuk area—must be viewed in light of the necessity of stabilizing the country on a long-term perspective.  might have for the K.R.G. oil and gas industry.  might have for the K.R.G. oil and gas industry.The K.R.G. has now a de facto control over oil and gas fields located only in the K.R.G. territory, although the federal government currently disputes again the legitimacy of these oil and gas operations, which are carried out according to production sharing contracts (P.S.C.s) while the federal government favors technical service contracts (T.S.C.s).

BACCI, A., The K.R.G. and Iraq: The Time of Oil Diplomacy, in Ekurd Daily, Nov. 16, 2017.