Sector
Energy & Infrastructure in Iraq
Etihad Law Firm advises oil and gas operators, service companies, contractors, investors and project developers across the full lifecycle of energy and infrastructure projects in Iraq, from structuring and licensing to operations, compliance and dispute resolution.
Overview
Navigating Iraq's energy legal landscape
Iraq is awarding capital-intensive energy and infrastructure projects faster than it is legislating for them. The sector operates under a multi-layered legal framework of federal law, Kurdistan Region regulations, ministry-level directives and evolving investment legislation. For international operators, this complexity calls for local counsel with deep institutional knowledge.
We have extensive experience advising on upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas matters, power generation and renewables, water infrastructure and transport concessions throughout Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region. Our understanding of Iraq's legal and regulatory environment allows us to deliver practical, commercially focused solutions on complex, high-value projects.
Federal law
Ministry of Electricity Law, Investment Law, Companies Law and environmental legislation.
Kurdistan Region
KRG Oil and Gas Law No. 22 of 2007 and regional investment rules.
Ministry directives
Instructions and decisions from the Ministries of Oil and Electricity and the Council of Ministers.
Investment legislation
Investment licences, incentives and land allocation through the National and Provincial Investment Commissions.
Core services
How we help
Oil & gas contracts
Drafting and negotiating Technical Service Contracts, Exploration and Production Agreements and Joint Operating Agreements with the Ministry of Oil, SOMO and KRG authorities, including cost recovery, production entitlements and stabilization clauses.
Power & renewables
Power purchase agreements with the Ministry of Electricity, competitive solar rounds, direct negotiations and government-to-government frameworks, C&I and rooftop solar, energy storage, green hydrogen and carbon markets.
PPP & concessions
Structuring concessions for power plants, water treatment facilities, roads and ports under Iraq's concession and investment framework, including risk allocation, government guarantees, tariff frameworks and handover of completed assets.
Project finance & investment
Advising lenders and sponsors on project finance, security packages, offshore holding and Iraqi project companies, MIGA cover, ECA and DFI coordination, sovereign guarantees, exchange controls and NIC incentive applications.
Regulatory & licensing
Licensing under the Investment Law, Ministry of Oil directives and the KRG Oil and Gas Law, NIC registration, Council of Ministers approvals, environmental permitting, grid connection and operational compliance.
EPC & construction
FIDIC-based EPC, turnkey, O&M and supply contracts, including performance guarantees, liquidated damages, variations, change in law, importing equipment and hiring a foreign workforce.
Disputes & arbitration
Representing energy companies and contractors in ICC, LCIA and ICSID arbitration and before the Iraqi courts: government contract disputes, force majeure, expropriation, sovereign immunity, interim relief and enforcement against the state.
Joint ventures & entry
Entry strategy, joint ventures and government-related engagements, setting up the right vehicle and partnership structure for operating in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Across the project lifecycle
From entry to dispute resolution
- Entry strategy
- Tender & licensing
- Contracts
- Financing
- Construction
- Operation & compliance
- Disputes
Who we advise
Ready to discuss your project in Iraq?
Speak with our energy and infrastructure team.