The rise in oil prices with the decline of the dollar in market transactions.

2 Nov 2022 · 9 min
8:49

In a televised Arabic interview, host Speaker A engages with two experts: Dr. Omid Shokri, a Washington‑based foreign‑policy and energy‑geopolitics advisor, and Dr. Kovend Sherwani, an Erbil‑based oil‑economics professor at Salahaddin University. The discussion opens with recent OPEC+ decisions, noting a collective cut of 2 million barrels per day, including a 570,000‑bpd reduction by Saudi Arabia, aimed at stabilising global oil markets. Dr. Shokri explains the historic dollar‑petroleum relationship, emphasizing that oil is priced in U.S. dollars, so fluctuations in oil prices affect dollar reserves and vice‑versa. He outlines possible future price drivers: a potential Iran nuclear agreement that could flood the market and lower prices, and geopolitical shocks such as drone attacks on Gulf facilities that would spike prices. Turning to Iraq, Dr. Sherwani details the country’s recent windfall: estimated oil‑related revenues of $96 billion for 2022, with $76 billion actually collected and a budget deficit of $20 billion that was fully covered, leaving a potential cash surplus of up to $20 billion. However, political instability and delays in forming a new government under Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al‑Sudani postponed the 2022 budget, limiting the ability to channel these funds into public services. He notes Iraq’s oil‑dependent economy (≈93 % of revenue) and the need to allocate the surplus toward infrastructure, agriculture, industry, petrochemicals, and natural‑gas development, as well as to combat corruption and improve fiscal management. Both experts agree that the current high oil price environment offers a narrow window for Iraq and other OPEC+ members to diversify their economies, invest in energy transition, and strengthen national security. They anticipate upcoming climate summits (e.g., in Egypt) to shape future fossil‑fuel policies, underscoring the urgency for Iraq to reform its budget, invest in non‑oil sectors, and manage its newfound cash reserves responsibly.

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