From 1925 to 2026: Iraq’s Century of Oil Production
At a Glance
- Iraq’s oil output has fluctuated sharply since production began.
- Production reached a reported peak of 4.5 million bpd.
- Wars and sanctions repeatedly disrupted output.
- Production recovered to 3 million bpd by September 2026.
Iraq’s oil industry has experienced more than a century of major production swings, with output rising from thousands of barrels per day in its early years to millions of barrels daily before repeated wars, sanctions, and other disruptions caused sharp declines.
Key Statements and Focus Area
- Early production: Oil extraction in Kirkuk began in 1927, with minimal production.
- Production peaks: Output expanded significantly over subsequent decades, reaching a reported historic peak of 4.5 million barrels per day.
- Recent recovery: Production fell sharply in 2026 before recovering to about 3 million barrels per day by September.
From Kirkuk to Large-Scale Production
Iraq’s oil production history began in the Kirkuk area, where exploration started in the 1920s. Production at the Baba Gurgur field initially ranged between 5,000 and 10,000 barrels per day before later increasing as pipeline infrastructure expanded.
Between 1946 and 1961, production from northern fields increased from about 150,000 barrels per day to 700,000 barrels per day.
Nationalization Drives Expansion
Oil production expanded further with the development of fields in southern Iraq. Following the nationalization of the oil industry in 1972, output increased, reaching about 1.7 million barrels per day before rising to 3.5 million barrels per day by 1980.
Impact of Conflicts on Production
| Period | Reported production impact |
|---|---|
| Iran-Iraq War, 1981–1985 | Output fell to about 900,000 bpd |
| Gulf War, 1991 | Output reached about 300,000 bpd |
| ISIS attacks, 2014 | Output fell to about 2.8 million bpd |
| Regional war and foreign company withdrawal, 2026 | Output fell from 4.3 million bpd to below 2 million bpd before recovering |
FYI
Iraq completed the nationalization of its oil industry in 1972, bringing field operations under state control. After 2003, the country reopened its energy sector to international companies through licensing rounds focused on developing major oil fields.
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