Iraq, US strengthen partnership to boost energy cooperation

BAGHDAD, Iraq (MNTV) — Iraq and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in the energy sector, aiming to accelerate Iraq’s path toward energy self-sufficiency and strengthen bilateral relations grounded in shared economic interests.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy James Danly and Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris in Baghdad, where both sides discussed ongoing projects and new initiatives to boost oil and gas production.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Al-Sudani highlighted that the government has introduced a detailed timetable to achieve full self-sufficiency in gas production by 2028 and in high-octane gasoline output.

He emphasized the importance of collaboration with U.S. companies to modernize Iraq’s energy infrastructure, expand oil reserve development, and enhance power generation capacity.

Danly praised Iraq’s progress and reaffirmed Washington’s readiness to deepen technical cooperation and investment in the country’s energy projects, noting that the partnership is “moving in a positive and strategic direction.”

The meeting followed the signing of an agreement between Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity and Texas-based Excelerate Energy to construct a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in Khor al-Zubair port, with a capacity of 15 million cubic meters per day.

The five-year deal is expected to supply Iraq with enough natural gas to sustain its power plants and stabilize electricity generation, marking a key milestone in Baghdad’s energy reform agenda.