The semi-autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq has unilaterally signed two energy deals with US companies to develop natural gas resources − a move that has angered Baghdad, which has been trying to control the region’s oil and gas industry.
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani oversaw the signing on Monday, during a visit to Washington aimed at bolstering economic and military co-operation with the US.
The combined estimated value for the agreements with HKN Energy-led joint venture and WesternZagros is at “tens of billions of US dollars”, a statement said. No more details have been announced on the terms of the two deals.
In a separate statement, HKN Energy and partner Onex Group said they will develop the Miran gasfield through their newly formed joint venture, Miran Energy.
The field “could hold an estimated 8 trillion standard cubic feet of recoverable natural gas”, it added. Its development could generate more than $40 billion in long-term value, said the statement.
The agreement marks “a significant milestone not only for our companies, but for the energy future of the region”, said Russell Freeman, chief executive of HKN Energy. He described the project as “one of the region’s most strategic gas resources”.
Meanwhile, WesternZagros − the US privately owned exploration and production company operating in the region − announced its acquisition of the resource-rich Topkhana block.
“The combined Topkhana-Kurdamir block holds a resource potential of up to 5 trillion standard cubic feet and 900 million barrels of recoverable natural gas and crude oil respectively,” it said in a statement. This is “expected to generate an estimated $70 billion of revenue over the life of the project”.
The gas production is planned for domestic supply in the region, with potential to meet demand for other parts of Iraq and the wider region, HKN Energy and WesternZagros said.
In a statement, the Iraqi Federal Ministry of Oil rejected the deals, saying the move is "a clear violation to the Iraqi law". The ministry said "oil wealth belongs to all Iraqi citizens and any investment decisions should be made through the federal government".
Since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein and helped the Kurds gain official semi-autonomy, the Kurdistan Regional Government has been at loggerheads with the federal government over issues, including energy deals the regional government signed unilaterally, and its share of the federal budget.
The Kurdish region's oil sector suffered a major blow in early 2022 when the Federal Supreme Court ruled that the region's law regulating the industry was unconstitutional. The court demanded it hand over all of the oil sector’s activities to Baghdad – including exports.
A 2023 arbitration ruling forced the region's exports through Turkey to halt, cutting off a major source of revenue for Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region, and leaving it struggling to fulfil salary payments.
Since then, no progress has been made to resume oil exports or hand over the industry to Baghdad.
The Oil Ministry said the "invalidity of these contracts" was based on the constitution of the Republic of Iraq and rulings of the Federal Court.
In response to Baghdad, the Kurdish region's Ministry of Natural Resources defended the deals, arguing that the constitution gives it the right and authority to sign energy deals.
It said the two deals "are based on contracts signed many years ago...the recent change has been in the operating companies, in accordance with the legal and contractual framework of the existing agreements".
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
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Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
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Friday:
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Saturday:
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The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
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