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Iraq’s 7 Million bpd Oil Production Goal Draws Swift Response from Chinese Firms

The recent reiteration by Iraq Oil Ministry of a 7 million barrels per day (bpd) oil production target within the next five years has spurred activity among Chinese firms that continue to dominate the country’s oil and gas sector. As it stands, more than a third of all Iraq’s proven oil and gas reserves and over two-thirds of its current production are managed by Beijing’s companies, according to industry figures. This translates into Chinese companies having a combined direct share in around 24 billion barrels of reserves and responsibility for production of around 3.0 million bpd. The latest in the very long line of Beijing’s firms to benefit from its ongoing stealthy takeover of Iraq’s huge oil and gas assets is China Huanqiu Contracting & Engineering Company (HQC), which has signed a huge project management consultancy contract for the supergiant West Qurna 1 oilfield.

Mexico Revises Oil Production Down

Late last year, the company’s management revised its budget down, which could prove an additional obstacle to boosting production. The cutback follows instructions from Pemex’s new upstream head, Nestor Martinez, to scale back major well repairs and seismic data contracts. Instead, Pemex will focus on developing new deposits, especially in the deep waters of the Gulf.

OPEC+ Rethinking Oil Production Rampup After Trump Complications

OPEC wasn’t keen on responding to President Trump’s pressures at the time, nor does it appear to be factoring into their decision now. But Trump’s recent decisions—global tariffs, sanctions on Iran, Russia, and Venezuela, and the US President’s favorable view of the oil industry as opposed to renewables are all making OPEC+’s decisions particularly complex as it attempts to properly manage supply in line with demand.