Death Of Suleimani Threatens The Future Of Iraq’s Oil Production Growth

Death Of Suleimani Threatens The Future Of Iraq’s Oil Production Growth

The death of Iranian commander Qasim Suleimani on January 3rd in an American drone strike has roiled Iran and Iraq.. Heightened security risks in the wake of Suleimani's death could persuade the international oil companies active in Iraq - like Exxon Mobil or BP - that investing in infrastructure projects that are key to Iraq's oil production ambitions isn't worth it.. Experts say the CSSP is vital to Iraq's plans to lift oil production above the current 4.5 million barrels per day.. "In the medium term, heightened security concerns might make it more difficult for Iraq to build production capacity," the International Energy Agency (IEA) said this week, becoming the most influential of several groups saying much the same.. And Paul Stevens, in a commentary for Chatham House, wrote that "Iraq's future production has already been damaged as international oil companies are withdrawing staff for safety reasons" - with worse to come.. Several months before the January 3rd drone strike, the International Energy Agency (IEA) had already revised down its forecast for future Iraqi oil production, from 7.5 down to 6 million barrels per day by 2030.. In 2009 Iraq hatched plans