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Iraq secures US$200bn in US energy deals

Iraq has successfully secured a series of landmark energy agreements with the United States.

Iraq has successfully secured a series of landmark energy agreements with the United States.

During a highly significant diplomatic visit to Washington by Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, the Iraqi government cemented deals estimated to be worth US$200bn. These comprehensive contracts are set to revitalise the country’s foundational oil and gas industries. According to Iraqi Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair, who detailed the outcomes of the talks, this massive injection of capital will serve as the cornerstone of Iraq's strategic vision. The scale of this international commitment underscores a renewed focus on expanding a sector that remains the lifeblood of the Iraqi economy. This historic bilateral alignment is expected to reshape the trajectory of the nation's economic recovery.

Expanding Production and International Co-operation

The newly minted partnership encompasses seven key agreements designed to upgrade Iraq's extraction and processing capabilities. Minister Khudair noted that these deals will substantially increase the nation's oil and gas reserves while boosting day-to-day production. At present, Iraq’s total oil production capacity has already surpassed 4.8 million barrels per day. The administration views this capacity as a robust foundation upon which the new US agreements will build.

Furthermore, Iraqi oil fields are already a hub of global enterprise, with 22 international companies currently operating within the country. The presence of these foreign entities demonstrates the vast, untapped potential still present within the region. The integration of the Washington-backed agreements will harmonise with these operations, creating a more dynamic extraction environment. By expanding capacity through these frameworks, Iraq aims to solidify its position as a global energy supplier.

Advancing Towards Domestic Self-Sufficiency

While exports remain a primary focus, the government is equally dedicated to fulfilling domestic energy requirements. Minister Khudair highlighted that Iraq is firmly on track to achieve complete self-sufficiency in natural gas by the year 2030. This ambitious target represents a critical shift for the nation, which has historically faced complexities in capturing its own gas resources.

Remarkable progress has already been recorded in other areas. Iraq has successfully achieved full self-sufficiency in the provision of gas oil, commonly known as diesel, and kerosene. Additionally, domestic facilities are generating approximately 30 million litres of gasoline daily to meet local demand. However, the minister acknowledged that the journey is not without hurdles. Despite the impressive production figures, persistent challenges remain within the country’s fuel distribution mechanisms. Addressing these logistical distribution roadblocks is essential to ensure that this newly harnessed energy reliably reaches consumers across all provinces.

Catalysing Socio-Economic Growth

Beyond the immediate metrics of barrels and litres, the US$200bn investment strategy is heavily oriented towards generating tangible benefits for the Iraqi populace. The government anticipates that the revitalisation of the energy sector will serve as a massive engine for job creation, offering new employment avenues for a growing workforce.

These contracts are also structured to deliver broader social benefits that extend into the educational sphere. Notably, the agreements include provisions for scholarship opportunities, linking industrial growth directly with human capital development. By investing in education, Iraq is laying the groundwork for a future where its own professionals can lead the management of the nation's infrastructure.

Navigating OPEC Quotas and Looking Ahead

As production capacities expand, the Iraqi government is simultaneously addressing the diplomatic complexities of global oil markets. Minister Khudair revealed that officials are engaged in serious and constructive dialogue with the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The primary objective of these talks is to negotiate an increase in the country’s official oil export quota, allowing Iraq to capitalise on its enhanced capabilities.

Addressing the historical context of these negotiations, the oil minister was explicit about the nation's stance. "The government remains committed to securing the export share Iraq deserves, while taking into account the exceptional circumstances the country has endured as a result of wars and the destruction of its infrastructure," he said. Through massive international investment and assertive diplomacy, Iraq is charting a highly resilient energy future.

Oman Shell drives the energy transition at OSW & OPES 2026

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Oman Shell recently concluded its highly anticipated participation in two major industry events: Oman Sustainability Week (OSW) and the Oman Petroleum & Energy Show (OPES) 2026.

Oman Shell recently concluded its highly anticipated participation in two major industry events: Oman Sustainability Week (OSW) and the Oman Petroleum & Energy Show (OPES) 2026.

Held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), the company's strong presence served as a comprehensive showcase of its ongoing dedication to innovation, environmental stewardship, and practical sustainability.

As the Strategic Partner for Oman Sustainability Week and Gold Sponsor for the Oman Petroleum & Energy Show, Oman Shell created an immersive booth experience that welcomed numerous visitors throughout the event. The custom-designed space provided a platform to explore crucial contemporary themes, spanning across liquefied natural gas (LNG), artificial intelligence-driven technologies, advanced energy solutions, and the critical area of future mobility. Over the three-day event, public interest remained consistently high, with attendees actively exploring interactive technology showcases and live demonstrations. These immersive experiences successfully highlighted the company's focus on delivering practical, scalable energy solutions designed to meet modern demands.

A particularly standout moment during Oman Shell's participation was the dedicated “Insights into LNG” session. This highly informative event was jointly hosted by Cedric Cremers, Integrated Gas President and Executive Committee Member at Shell, alongside Tom Summers, the Executive Vice President of LNG, Marketing & Trading. The session offered deep explorations into the latest developments currently shaping global LNG markets. The two executives discussed the evolving role of LNG in supporting energy security, navigating the energy transition, and examining key trends influencing the future of the sector.

In addition to the interactive booth and the “Insights into LNG” session, Oman Shell played an exceptionally active role in the wider conference programme. Company representatives participated in various keynote sessions and detailed panel discussions across both OPES and OSW. These Shell experts contributed valuable insights and deep industry knowledge on a wide array of vital topics. The discussions covered the future of energy, sustainability practices, effective carbon management, continuous innovation, and the ongoing transformation of the industry. By sharing this expertise, Oman Shell reinforced its pivotal role in supporting constructive, forward-looking dialogue regarding the energy transition and the future of the energy sector, both within Oman and on a global scale.

As part of its comprehensive participation during the busy week, Oman Shell also took the opportunity to host the official graduation ceremony for the fifth batch of the Shell Nawafidh programme at the OCEC. This ceremony formally recognised the achievements of the participating students, highlighting the programme's vital role in empowering young Omani talent through targeted education, applied innovation, and future-focused learning opportunities.

Furthermore, on the evening of 20 May, Oman Shell organised an exclusive site visit for a select number of key OPES and OSW participants. The destination was Oman's first hydrogen refuelling station, proudly designated as Shell's sixth “Gift to the Nation”. This unique visit offered attendees the rare opportunity to explore the pioneering station firsthand and gain practical insights into the vital role that hydrogen is expected to play in supporting future mobility solutions and aligning with Oman's broader energy transition ambitions.

Behind these showcases lies Shell's history as a dedicated partner in Oman's development over several decades. The company remains deeply active across the Omani oil and gas industry, participating in joint ventures and independent activities that range from research, development, exploration, and production, through to trading, retail, and new energies. Shell also implements an extensive social investment programme that contributes heavily to the sustainable development of the country, whilst holding significant interests in Petroleum Development Oman (34%), Oman LNG (30%), and Shell Oman Marketing Company (49%).

In January 2023, Oman Shell started producing gas from the Mabrouk North East field in Block 10. Shell holds a 53.45% working interest, with OQ and Marsa Liquefied Natural Gas LLC holding 13.36% and 33.19% respectively. Through these substantial investments and its recent participation in OSW and OPES 2026, Oman Shell reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Oman's sustainable development journey by combining global expertise, technology, collaboration, and innovation to help shape a balanced and practical energy future.

EGA restarts Al Taweelah Alumina Refinery in Abu Dhabi

EGA has officially announced the restart of alumina production at its Al Taweelah alumina refinery in Abu Dhabi.

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), recognised globally as the largest producer of premium aluminium, has officially announced the restart of alumina production at its Al Taweelah alumina refinery in Abu Dhabi.

The announcement, made on 10 July 2026, marks a critical step in restoring the facility's output following a temporary halt. Production at the refinery was previously suspended on 28 March due to Iranian attacks on the Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi. However, the facility successfully began producing hydrate, which serves as the essential precursor product to alumina, on 24 June.

The company expects alumina production to ramp up to 50 per cent of the plant's total capacity within a matter of days. Looking further ahead, EGA projects that it will possess the technical capability to return to full alumina production by the end of this year. The exact timing for this complete production ramp-up at the Al Taweelah alumina refinery will be determined by supply chain dynamics and the ongoing optimisation of EGA's broader alumina sourcing strategy. It is important to note that the ramp-up of primary aluminium production at the adjacent Al Taweelah smelter does not strictly depend on a full ramp-up at the alumina refinery itself.

Strategic Importance and Executive Perspective

Alumina is the fundamental feedstock required for aluminium smelters. Before the recent disruption, the Al Taweelah alumina refinery played a crucial role in EGA's supply chain. In 2025, the facility produced 2.4 million tonnes of alumina, which successfully met 46 per cent of EGA's total alumina needs. The refinery originally began production in April 2019, standing as the first alumina refinery in the United Arab Emirates and only the second across the entire Middle East. This strategic project significantly reduces the nation's reliance on imported alumina.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, noted the significance of this operational resumption. He stated: "First alumina production from Al Taweelah alumina refinery is another big milestone in our journey to restore EGA's Al Taweelah site to its position as one of the most important aluminium production complexes in the world. The dedication and agility of the team at Al Taweelah alumina refinery has enabled us to reach this milestone safely and quickly."

The refinery is strategically located directly next to the Al Taweelah smelter. Alumina is efficiently transferred to storage facilities and subsequently into the smelter via an extensive system of conveyor belts.

Emirates Global Aluminium's Global Standing

The successful restart of the Al Taweelah alumina refinery highlights EGA's resilience as an industrial powerhouse. Founded originally as Dubai Aluminium in 1975, EGA has grown into the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates outside of the oil and gas sector. The organisation is equally owned by the Mubadala Investment Company of Abu Dhabi and the Investment Corporation of Dubai.

EGA operates as a fully integrated aluminium producer, managing operations that span from alumina refining to the casting of primary aluminium and subsequent recycling. The company's vast infrastructure includes smelters in Jebel Ali and Al Taweelah, alongside recycling plants in Al Taweelah and the United States, as well as a speciality foundry in Germany. In 2025 alone, EGA successfully sold 2.84 million tonnes of cast metal, with value-added products accounting for 81 per cent of these sales.

A Commitment to Sustainable Industry

Beyond its immense scale, EGA has continually focused on technological advancement and sustainable operations. In 2017, EGA became the first company headquartered in the Middle East to join the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, a global programme designed to foster greater sustainability within the industry. The company has also utilised its own proprietary technology for every smelter expansion since the 1990s and has retrofitted all of its older production lines. Furthermore, in 2021, EGA achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first company globally to produce aluminium commercially using solar power.

The Al Taweelah site itself is a testament to the vast scale of EGA's operations. Covering six square kilometres, the facility is five times larger than Al Maryah Island. The ongoing restoration of operations at this massive industrial complex ensures that EGA remains a vital economic contributor, supporting a broader sector that sustains more than 56,000 jobs across the UAE.

Siemens & UAE launch unified Emirates Monitoring Center

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On the 9th of July 2026, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) inaugurated the Emirates Monitoring Center in Dubai.

On the 9th of July 2026, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) inaugurated the Emirates Monitoring Center in Dubai.

This unique national facility provides real-time monitoring of the United Arab Emirates’ integrated power network by directly linking four major electricity utilities: Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA), and Etihad Water and Electricity.

Advancing Infrastructure and Grid Resilience

Powered by the Siemens Spectrum Power platform, this centre marks a significant milestone in advancing the resilience, reliability, and ongoing digital transformation of the nation's electricity infrastructure. It provides comprehensive oversight of a network featuring an installed generation capacity of approximately 48 gigawatts.
To maintain grid stability, the Emirates Monitoring Center continuously tracks essential operational indicators, including system load, frequency, voltage, and power exchange. It also guarantees the seamless flow of vital operational data across the Emirates National Grid (ENG) corridor, which stretches from Abu Dhabi directly to the Northern Emirates.
Furthermore, the facility actively coordinates outage management and emergency responses, acting as the primary line of situational awareness during sudden system disturbances or generation outages. The expert team conducts vital resilience studies and detailed operational planning to support informed decision-making whilst working closely with EWEC, DEWA, SEWA, and Etihad Water and Electricity to navigate a constantly evolving energy sector.

Strategic Vision from the Ministry

His Excellency Eng Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, stated: “Today marks an important milestone with the inauguration of the Emirates Monitoring Center alongside our strategic partners. The Center represents the nucleus of the UAE's national power network, providing comprehensive, real-time visibility across the country's electricity system through world-class monitoring technologies developed by Siemens.”
He added: “The Center enhances the resilience of our energy infrastructure and strengthens our ability to anticipate, manage, and respond to operational challenges both today and in the future. It will also leverage artificial intelligence capabilities to support scenario planning, predictive analysis, and future system modelling, enabling smarter, more proactive decision-making. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with our partners to advance a secure, resilient, and future-ready energy sector for the UAE.”

Fast-Track Deployment by Siemens

Helmut von Struve, Chief Executive Officer of Siemens in the UAE and the Middle East, highlighted the project's massive scale. He said: “Today marks a landmark achievement for the UAE's energy sector. The Emirates Monitoring Center is the country's first unified platform providing a single, real-time view of the national power grid, with continuous monitoring of all four utility companies across the seven emirates.”
He added: “Siemens is proud to serve as the technology partner behind this pioneering initiative. We delivered the core monitoring and control platform at record speed, achieving the world's first fast-track deployment of the latest generation of our energy management system. What truly distinguishes this project is not only the technology, but also the strong partnership between Siemens, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and the UAE's electricity utilities. The Center has been designed to grow alongside the country's evolving energy landscape, supporting renewable energy integration, future cross-border interconnections, and the continued development of a smarter, more resilient national grid.”

Commitment to Industry Innovation
Siemens AG, headquartered in Berlin and Munich, remains a leading technology company heavily focused on global infrastructure, industry, mobility, and healthcare. By uniting the digital and real worlds, Siemens directly empowers customers to accelerate critical sustainability transformations, effectively making modern cities more livable and transportation considerably more sustainable. As a recognised industrial artificial intelligence leader, the company constantly leverages deep domain know-how to apply generative AI directly to real-world applications. Furthermore, Siemens holds a majority stake in Siemens Healthineers, a leading global medical technology provider entirely focused on pioneering healthcare breakthroughs for everyone.

Expo City Dubai issues UAE’s first ever Green Licences

Expo City Dubai has issued the first Expo Green Licences to six pioneering businesses.

Expo City Dubai has issued the first Expo Green Licences to six pioneering businesses, ranging from small social enterprises to multinational organisations, as the city builds momentum as the United Arab Emirates’ first Green Innovation District.

The landmark licensing product is designed to connect environment-conscious enterprises under a shared goal of driving sustainable innovation to maximise environmental and economic impact.

A joint initiative with the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, the green licence addresses a critical gap in the market by providing sustainability-led firms with comprehensive benefits valued at upwards of AED 400,000. These incentives cover discounted setup fees, sustainability services, and promotional support. To ensure high standards, the qualification benchmark requires applicants to demonstrate verified environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority, highlighted the significance of the milestone, stating: “Attracting, enabling and scaling sustainability-focused business, innovation and talent is integral to the Green Innovation District’s mission to deliver measurable environmental, economic and social impact and directly aligns with an enhanced nationwide focus on strengthening local industry. We are proud to advance the District’s mission as we grant the first green licences – entrusted to these pioneering organisations that now form part of a collaborative, solutions-driven ecosystem that will contribute to UAE’s net zero and economic diversification ambitions, helping to create a brighter future for generations to come. ”

The project directly aligns with the country's strategic clean energy goals. His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, added: “The UAE has made great strides in developing an integrated national system to promote the transition towards a circular economy model and enable the growth and competitiveness of sustainable and advanced industries. As we work to advance the UAE’s long-term economic and climate ambitions, the Expo Green Licence is a powerful tool to encourage innovation and support green business growth. The companies receiving their licence today are frontrunners in the ongoing evolution of the Green Innovation District, and we look forward to welcoming more innovative organisations that will drive the objectives of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision to diversify the national economy, accelerate the transition to clean energy sources, and enhance the country's competitiveness in the areas of sustainability and environmental innovation.”

The first cohort of licensees features businesses specialising in waste management and climate technology. These include AirJoule, WAT (We Are Tech), Polygreen, Carbon Assurance, Carbon Standard, and RBT Collective. To remain inclusive, the framework offers two distinct pathways to qualification. While established firms with accredited ESG ratings qualify directly, small and medium-sized enterprises are evaluated individually based on their scalable products or services related to circular economies and climate action.

Ramdas M. Rao, President – International at AirJoule Technologies, remarked on the commercial significance: “Receiving the UAE's first green licence and joining the Green Innovation District with its pertinent benefits is a meaningful step in AirJoule's commercial journey. The key pillars of the UAE's economic strategy include sustainability and resiliency, two deliverables that are central to AirJoule's value proposition. Using advanced materials and leveraging both our global and local partners, we are scaling our atmospheric water harvesting platform to deliver water security and energy efficiency in the UAE, and from this launchpad to the Global South. We look forward to building alongside our Expo City Dubai community, because collaboration is the only way climate technologies reach the scale required.”

Licensees gain invitation to local and international business missions, participation in the Green Majlis leadership forum, and fast-track access to an upcoming on-site Green Intellectual Property office to protect sustainable innovations.