The Effects of Baghdad Politics on Kurdistani Gas Prospects

This paper examines the effects of internal Iraqi politics on the potential for exporting Kurdistani natural gas. It examines Baghdad’s policy with regards to both oil and gas, and predicts what effects it will have on Kurdistan’s gas prospects.
This paper will examine the impact of internal Iraqi politics on Kurdistan’s gas market. It will look first at the legal aspects of gas, particularly in the Constitution, and find that gas in Kurdistan and throughout Iraq is theoretically nationalised and inaccessible to outsiders. This is partially corroborated by the current Kurdistan oil situation (which is given identical treatment to gas in the Constitution), where the Baghdad government is refusing to recognise bilateral deals between the KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) and investors, and is blocking exports. However, as will be shown, there are divisions within the government, and its policy is by no means set in stone. Moreover, the government is currently pursuing a more lenient national policy for gas than for oil, which should be considered cause for tentative optimism among investors in Kurdistani gas.
Available in:
Regions and themes
Share
Download the full analysis
This page contains only a summary of our work. If you would like to have access to all the information from our research on the subject, you can download the full version in PDF format.
The Effects of Baghdad Politics on Kurdistani Gas Prospects
Related centers and programs
Discover our other research centers and programsFind out more
Discover all our analysesReconnecting With Europe's Nuclear DNA: a Political Question
As Europe's main source of low-carbon electricity, nuclear power is a strategic asset for tackling climate and geopolitical challenges.
Will the Western Nuclear Power Revival Take Place? The State of Extra-European Advances
Against the dual backdrop of the energy transition and the rapid transformation of the international order, the question of Western nuclear revival is being raised with renewed acuity.
Re-evaluating Copper Supply: The Crucial Role of Technology
Some authors argue that the energy transition is doomed to fail due to metal scarcity and the rising energy costs of extraction.
The Strategic Dimension of Power System Flexibility: Opportunities in Europe
The European Union has embarked on an energy transition aimed primarily at replacing fossil fuels by electrifying demand.