Iraq, Kurdistan unlock “historic” deal to restart oil exports through Turkiye
Shafaq News – Baghdad / Erbil (Updated on September 25 at 20:52)
Baghdad has reached a “historic agreement” with Erbil to resume crude exports through the Iraq–Turkiye pipeline, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Thursday.
Sources told Shafaq News on Monday that a tripartite accord between the Kurdish Ministry of Natural Resources, Iraq’s Ministry of Oil, and oil companies has been reached, ending an 18-month suspension that cost Baghdad and Erbil billions in lost revenues.
Read more: Billions down the drain: The cost of Iraq's Kurdistan oil export ban
According to a statement from the PM’s media office, the Iraqi Ministry of Oil will take delivery of crude produced in the Kurdistan Region for export. Al-Sudani described the deal as “an achievement 18 years in the making” that ensures fair distribution of wealth, diversifies export outlets, and encourages investment.
The Iraqi ministry announced that all crude produced in Kurdistan,
except for volumes designated for local consumption, will be delivered to the
State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) for export through the Turkish port of
Ceyhan. It stressed that the deal crowns months of negotiations aimed at
consolidating Iraq’s position in global energy markets, upholding national
sovereignty, and ensuring transparent revenues to support the federal budget
and public services nationwide.
Meanwhile, the Kurdish ministry revealed that exports would resume
within 48 hours, noting that the arrangement strengthens cooperation with the Iraqi
government and guarantees that shipments continue through official, recognized
channels.
