Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani confirmed that the Iraqi government has established a clear timeline to achieve its energy project goals, during a meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy James Patrick Danly and his accompanying delegation in Baghdad on Tuesday. U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris also attended the meeting.
Al-Sudani highlighted the growing Iraq–U.S. cooperation across various sectors, especially in energy, noting that his government has already launched numerous projects that have produced tangible improvements nationwide.
He pointed out that Iraq has achieved self-sufficiency in high-octane gasoline production and is now working toward complete gas self-sufficiency by 2028, a goal driven by domestic projects and international partnerships. The Prime Minister emphasized that collaboration with U.S. energy companies is essential for transferring technical expertise, training Iraqi professionals, and applying modern technologies in both oil field development and power generation.
Deputy Secretary Danly praised Iraq’s recent energy advancements and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to a partnership-based approach, saying the U.S. aims to help Iraq reach energy independence and eventually export surplus electricity to neighboring countries.
Following the meeting, Prime Minister Al-Sudani witnessed the signing of a new energy contract between Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity and Excelerate Energy, a U.S.-based firm specializing in liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure.
The deal covers the leasing and operation of a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) with a daily capacity of 15 million cubic meters of natural gas. The five-year renewable contract will supply gas to Iraq’s power generation plants, helping diversify the country’s energy sources and stabilize electricity production.
Officials described the FSRU system as a flexible and cost-efficient alternative to permanent onshore terminals, enabling faster project delivery and lower implementation costs while supporting Iraq’s broader plan to expand its natural gas infrastructure.
This agreement marks another major step in Iraq’s efforts to reduce reliance on imported gas, strengthen its energy security, and advance its goal of becoming energy self-sufficient by 2028.
