Iraq plans to raise oil production to 10 million barrels
Iraq’s new Prime Minister, Ali Falah al-Idabi, a young man who emerged from the economic sector, has acknowledged that he is an economist, not a politician. This ambitious young Iraqi, still counted among the youth generation, admitted during his recent visit to Washington before U.S. President Donald Trump that he did not witness many of the events that befell Iraq, particularly during the fateful Ba’athist Saddam era, when Iraqi forces invaded neighboring Kuwait under false pretexts such as “Kuwait was lowering oil prices to harm Iraq,” along with other fabricated nonsense and lies intended to justify the occupation and annexation of Kuwait without any rational justification acceptable to the international community. Consequently, peace-loving peoples advocating for global peace and security had no choice but to immediately rally to liberate Kuwait from the grip of a malicious and vindictive tyrant. Kuwait was thus restored to the embrace of its people as a free and independent state, committed to peace within a peaceful international community.
Of course, those were claims and lies concocted by Saddam Hussein and his gang of cowards, whom Saddam led like sheep; anyone who opposed him paid the price with a bullet from the pistol resting on the table before him.
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Ali al-Idabi’s ambition to build a limitless new Iraq is evident. Anyone following his speeches and meetings before the Council of Ministers, or with economic, political, or parliamentary communities, can see that he did not seek the position out of love for power or desire for fame. Rather, his ambition is manifested in building a new Iraq that keeps pace with global development. This is his right, and the right of every Iraqi who wishes well and prosperity for his country.
When questioned by journalists about his plan to raise oil production, al-Idabi stated that he would either travel to Saudi Arabia or send a ministerial oil delegation there to discuss increasing production.
Of course, as of the writing of this article, no Iraqi delegation had yet departed for Saudi Arabia to address the oil issue, since oil remains the most valuable commodity in the economies of oil-producing nations.
We know that there is a hidden war among oil-producing countries, especially those with high output, which are disturbed by competition from similar parties due to long-term contracts.
During the years of oil drought, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, and perhaps the 1970s of the last century, certain oil-producing countries were favored above others. However, in the last two decades, many significant discoveries have emerged in countries that were previously insignificant, suggesting an increase in the number of oil and gas-producing nations, and consequently, a decline in oil prices. Oil remains the most important commodity at present and for the coming years, although alternative discoveries may eventually render oil a stagnant commodity.
In any case, this is not our main topic, but it arises in the context of discussing Ali al-Idabi’s journey and his struggle to build a new Iraq by increasing oil production, securing substantial revenues, and stimulating the development engine in an Iraq envisioned by al-Idabi as a global Iraq capable of competing with advanced nations. It is a dream, but achieving it is not difficult, as all major revivals have been built on the ideas of an inspiring leader.
Mr. al-Idabi’s dream of raising oil production to 10 million barrels per day may clash with the interests of larger producing countries, assuming Iraq adheres to its rhetoric and its membership in OPEC.
From this perspective, I believe al-Idabi has only two options: withdraw from OPEC or comply with the standard allocated quota. Iraq, unlike oil, possesses gas and other raw materials suitable for production and manufacturing, which Mr. al-Idabi may have mentioned previously.
Iraq will not achieve stability, nor will it be set on the path of development, in the absence of stability and civil peace.
A Kuwaiti journalist
