IRAQ RESUMES KURDISH OIL EXPORTS TO TURKIYE AFTER TWO-AND-A-HALF-YEAR HALT
BAGHDAD, IRAQ - SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 - Iraq has resumed crude oil exports from the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region to Turkiye after an interim deal broke a two-and-a-half-year deadlock over legal and technical disputes.
The resumption started at 6am local time (03:00 GMT) on Saturday, according to a statement from Iraq's oil ministry. Operations began at a rapid pace and with complete smoothness without recording any significant technical problems, the ministry said.
Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar confirmed the development in a post on X, stating that "the agreement between Iraq's federal government, the Kurdistan regional government (KRG), and Turkiye marks a new era of cooperation in the energy sector."
The deal was reached after months of negotiations between the three parties. The dispute centered around issues related to oil pricing, transportation, and revenue sharing. Under the terms of the agreement, the KRG will receive 25% of the revenue generated from the exports.
Iraq's oil ministry stated that the resumption of exports is expected to increase Turkiye's crude oil imports by approximately 100,000 barrels per day. This development is seen as a significant boost for Turkiye's energy sector, which has been struggling with supply chain disruptions and rising demand.
The Kurdistan region has been producing around 600,000 barrels of oil per day, according to the KRG's oil ministry. The exports are transported through a pipeline that runs from the Kurdish city of Kirkuk to the Mediterranean port of Ceyhan in Turkiye.
The resumption of oil exports is expected to have a positive impact on the regional economy, generating revenue for both Iraq and Turkiye. It also marks a significant step towards strengthening ties between the two countries.
In related news, the KRG has announced plans to increase its oil production capacity by 20% in the coming months. This move is seen as a response to the increased demand from Turkiye and other regional markets.
The development comes at a time when Iraq is facing a water crisis, hit by one of its worst droughts in a century. The country's energy sector has been affected by the drought, with several oil fields experiencing reduced production due to water scarcity.
As the region continues to navigate complex energy politics, experts say that the agreement between Iraq, the KRG, and Turkiye sets an important precedent for future cooperation in the energy sector.
"This deal demonstrates the potential for regional cooperation in the face of common challenges," said Dr. Ali al-Moussawi, a leading expert on Iraqi energy policy. "It's a positive step towards building trust and strengthening ties between Iraq and Turkiye."
The resumption of oil exports is expected to have far-reaching implications for the region's economy and politics. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the agreement marks a new era of cooperation in the energy sector.
IRAQ RESUMES KURDISH OIL EXPORTS TO TURKIYE AFTER TWO-AND-A-HALF-YEAR HALT
IRAQ RESUMES KURDISH OIL EXPORTS TO TURKIYE AFTER TWO-AND-A-HALF-YEAR HALT
*Reporting by Aljazeera.*
