Kurdistan Oil & Gas Development

[Anthea]

Resuming oil exports from Kurdistan

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iraqi Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani on Tuesday told Kurdistan24 that they continue to negotiate with the Kurdistan Region and hope to resume oil exports shortly

Abdul Ghani highlighted the importance of the existing agreement between the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) regarding oil exports through the Turkish Ceyhan Port. This agreement serves as the foundation for ongoing discussions aimed at resuming vital oil flows.

In addition to addressing oil exports, the Minister acknowledged Iraq's current reliance on gas imports from neighboring Iran. "Although Iraq buys gas from neighboring Iran, it needs more gas to generate electricity, so they will sign more contracts in the future," he said, indicating plans to secure additional energy resources.

While no specific date has been set for the resumption of oil exports, Abdul Ghani emphasized the continuous and collaborative communication between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region. He noted that there is ongoing dialogue with Kamal Mohammad, the acting Minister of Natural Resources for the KRG, underscoring the commitment to cooperation and information exchange.

This development marks a positive step towards enhancing Iraq's energy sector and strengthening the relationship between the Iraqi government and the KRG.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/35 ... tan-Region

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Oil Contract Amendments

ERBIL — Kamal Mohamad, acting Natural Resources Minister of the Kurdistan Region, assured all stakeholders that the Region will not obstruct the amendment of oil contracts. He also indicated a positive rapport with the Iraqi Oil Ministry aimed at resolving Kurdish oil export issues

During a news conference on Monday, Mohamad stated that proposals presented by the Iraqi Oil Ministry to international oil companies have not been deemed satisfactory by these companies. He added that the amount allocated by the Iraqi federal government for producing a barrel of oil in the Kurdistan Region is significantly less than the companies' production costs.

"We will not prevent the amendment of oil contracts, and there is good understanding with the Iraqi Oil Ministry," he reiterated.

Iraqi Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani reported on Sunday, June 9th, that there has been substantial progress in negotiations with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and all international oil and gas companies operating in the region to reach an agreement.

On the same day, Umed Sabah, President of the Diwan of the Kurdistan Region’s Council of Ministers, who led the KRG's negotiating delegation, posted on his Facebook page that in Baghdad, discussions were held between the KRG delegation, international oil companies, and officials from the Iraqi Oil Ministry.

The meeting addressed various issues including relations between the KRG and the Iraqi government, expenditures of oil companies, oil export matters, and company costs related to oil production.

Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline ceased on March 23, 2023, following a decision by a Paris-based arbitration court. The court ruled in favor of Baghdad over Ankara, stating that Turkey violated a 1973 agreement by permitting Erbil to initiate independent oil exports in 2014.

Since then, discussions have taken place involving representatives from Iraqi and Kurdish governments, international oil companies, and Turkish officials. Despite these talks, they have not yet reached an agreement to resume Kurdish oil exports.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/854368

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KRG Talks to Resume Exports

The KRG has reaffirmed its commitment to a joint partnership with companies and expressed Erbil's determination to restart oil exports. In a recent Council of Ministers meeting, the KRG reiterated its seriousness about resuming exports, and oil companies indicated their willingness to negotiate with Baghdad on any issues, including contract disputes

Environmental expert Govand Sherwani commented on the companies' readiness to negotiate, noting, "The companies have shown a willingness to discuss all matters, which indirectly suggests they are open to talking about contracts,” as cited by Kurdistan 24.

The primary hurdles to resuming oil exports include legal disputes over contracts that Baghdad does not recognize and the financial entitlements of the companies. The KRG has suspended oil exports for over a year due to these issues.

Kosrat Miran Beg, a lawyer, highlighted that Article 111 of the Iraqi Constitution states that oil and gas are public property of all Iraqis. He noted, "The Kurdistan Regional Government has never rejected this issue, but the Iraqi government is not ready to send the financial rights of the Kurdistan Region to its people."

He added, "Despite these obstacles, the Iraqi government lacks a specific oil and gas law. The existing laws from 2005 are designed with a completely centralized mentality."

In a recent development, the KRG held a trilateral meeting with the Iraqi federal government and oil companies in Baghdad to address these challenges.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/855220

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KRG 24/7 Electricity Supply

Kurdistan Ministry of Electricity announced on Thursday the launch of an experimental Test Plan service aimed at providing state-provided electricity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week initially in the Shadi Avenue zone, located in the southwest of Erbil

Supplying continuous public electricity has been a significant challenge in Kurdistan, particularly during the summer season when demand peaks. This pilot project by the ministry is intended to explore solutions to this persistent issue.

The ministry's plan involves close supervision and cooperation with the private sector in the area to ensure uninterrupted power supply. In the event of a potential state power cut, private generators will provide the necessary backup to maintain continuous electricity for residents and businesses.

To streamline the process, residents and businesses will receive a single monthly bill detailing their electricity consumption. Additionally, the service includes a mobile phone text feature, allowing customers to track and manage their electricity usage conveniently.

The Test Plan aims to gather valuable insights into the residents' electricity needs and preferences. The feedback obtained will help the government refine and improve its strategies for delivering a consistent 24/7 electricity supply across the entire Region.

This initiative represents a significant step towards addressing the electricity supply challenges in Kurdistan, with the potential to enhance the quality of life for its residents by ensuring a reliable power supply.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/855425

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Installing Four New Dams

The Kurdistan Government (KRG) and the Iraqi federal government have reached an agreement to install four strategic dams as part of Iraqi projects, with the federal government allocating the necessary budget

Abdulrahman Khani, the Director General of Dams in Kurdistan, confirmed the collaboration on Thursday, highlighting the significance of these projects for both Kurdistan and Iraq.

"The dams, namely Bakerman, Mandawa, Taqtaq, and Dalga, are crucial for electricity production and water harvesting," Khani said. He noted that while the dams were reviewed and designed a decade ago, they require updates to meet current standards.

A joint committee has been formed between the KRG and the federal government to prepare technical reports, exchange data, and conduct field visits. All relevant information has been sent to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry to facilitate project agreements under the Iraq-Turkey water projects framework.

Khani emphasized the KRG's efforts to include the dam projects' costs in the Iraqi budget, highlighting the critical nature of these initiatives. "The implementation of these projects is complex and costly, but the agreements between Iraq and Turkey on water projects could expedite their completion," he explained.

Currently, the Mandawa and Dalga dams are progressing rapidly, while the Iraq Institute for Strategic Studies is handling the other two dams. The projects are still in the review and design stages, with implementation expected to take time.

In addition to these projects, the KRG has been proactive in water resource management. Under Law No. 4, the KRG aims to manage and conserve water resources, optimize usage, and address environmental concerns.

The Region has initiated the construction of over 200 ponds and dams, with 21 dams and 118 ponds currently operational for various purposes, including water harvesting, electricity generation, irrigation, and tourism.

Climate change poses a significant threat, affecting both Kurdistan and Iraq. The KRG is committed to mitigating these impacts, with projections indicating that total water absorption in the region will exceed three billion cubic meters in 2024, up from over two billion cubic meters in 2023.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/855418

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Rehab oil, gas fields in Kirkuk

The Iraqi oil ministry and energy giant British Petroleum (BP) signed a “comprehensive” memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Thursday to rehab several state-owned oil and gas fields in Kirkuk province

Iraq Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul-Ghani and BP CEO Murray Auchincloss signed the agreement in a ceremony presided over by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.

Avana, Bai Hassan, Qubbat Baba, Jambour, and Khabaza fields in Kirkuk will be rehabilitated and developed according to the memorandum, which also includes the possibility of reaching related future agreements.

The fields are operated by the state-run North Oil Company (NOC). The NOC is one of the 16 companies comprising the Iraqi oil ministry with its headquarters in Kirkuk.

The MoU comes “in light of the [Iraqi] government's efforts to optimally invest in promising opportunities in the energy sector, with the aim of increasing and enhancing oil production and gas and solar energy investments in this region,” according to a statement from Sudani’s office.

Kirkuk is a multi-ethnic and home to Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen. Kirkuk and other territory in the provinces of Diyala, Nineveh, and Salahaddin are disputed or Article 140 areas long claimed by both Iraq and Kurdistan.

BP has been working in Kirkuk’s oil fields since the Iraqi federal government’s return to power in Kirkuk in October 2017. Previously, Kurdish factions had controlled oil fields in Kirkuk, following the collapse of the Iraqi army in 2014 during the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS).

Oil exports through the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline have been halted since March 2023 after a Paris-based arbitration court ruled in favor of Baghdad and against Ankara, saying the latter had breached a 1973 pipeline agreement by allowing Erbil to begin independent oil exports in 2014.

Before the halt, around 400,000 barrels per day were being exported by Erbil, in addition to some 75,000 barrels of Kirkuk’s oil.

In late May, Sudani called on the oil ministry to study linking its projects with the use of the Development Road - a multi-billion dollar project stretching from southern Iraq to its northern border with Turkey, aiming to link the Persian Gulf with Turkey. The project would significantly enhance Iraq’s geopolitical position and generate economic gains for Baghdad.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/business/010820241

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DNO new drilling rig in Kurdistan

Despite the Iraq-Turkey pipeline being “twisted into a Gordian knot,” Norwegian energy firm DNO reported that it doubled profits in the second quarter of this year, its net production rose six percent, and the company is preparing a new rig to drill for its Tawke license in the Kurdistan Region

“We are not realizing full value for our Kurdistan barrels with the shutdown of the Iraq-Türkiye export pipeline, now twisted into a Gordian knot,” said DNO’s Executive Chairman Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani in a midyear report on Thursday. “Until the knot is cut, we will compensate by spending more to produce more and by requiring payments in advance to our international bank accounts,” he added.

DNO restarted production in its flagship Tawke field last August after a four-month shut-in due to a ban on Kurdish oil exports that squeezed the Region’s oil and gas industry.

To that end, the company stated: “DNO increased spending in Kurdistan during the quarter to optimize production from existing wells at the flagship Tawke license (DNO 75 percent and operator)...”

Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline have been halted since March 2023 after a Paris-based arbitration court ruled in favor of Baghdad against Ankara, saying the latter had breached a 1973 pipeline agreement by allowing Erbil to begin independent oil exports in 2014.

In the second quarter of this year, “net production rose six percent to 79,400 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), of which Kurdistan contributed 59,800 boepd, North Sea 16,300 boepd and West Africa 3,300 boepd,” DNO said.

The oil and gas company reported “a doubling of net profit to USD 35 million on revenue of USD 137 million in the second quarter of 2024.”

Looking forward, the Tawke and Peshkabir fields are producing “an average of 83,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day” in the first half of the current fiscal quarter.

“To help address natural field decline, in addition to placing previously drilled wells into production, DNO prepares to mobilize a rig to drill the first new well on the license since early 2023,” DNO said, referring to its Tawke license

The firm also has a license at the Bashiqa field, where, “a 72-day testing program has commenced on the newly drilled B-3 well.”

DNO and other energy companies increasingly depend on tanker trucks to export oil and gas that is sold on international markets.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/business/15082024

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Iraq's Overproduction Blocks

Kurdistan Oil Exports

Iraq's obstruction of efforts to resume oil exports from the Kurdistan Region is linked to its need to reduce production to meet its OPEC quota, according to Sabah Subhi, a member of the Iraqi parliament's oil and gas committee

Speaking to Kurdistan 24 on Friday, Subhi claimed that the Iraqi Ministry of Oil is deliberately blocking attempts to restart Kurdistan’s oil exports.

Subhi stated that the Oil and Gas Committee had proposed a plan to the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, which involved accepting 400,000 barrels of oil per day from Kurdistan and extending a pipeline from the Region to Kirkuk and then to Basra. However, the plan was deemed unfeasible.

He explained that Iraq has exceeded its OPEC oil export quota of 3.6 million barrels per day by 1.4 million barrels, leading to warnings from OPEC. As a result, the ministry has obstructed efforts to resume Kurdistan's oil exports.

The Iraqi Ministry of Oil has been accused of blocking all efforts to resume oil exports from Kurdistan, despite the Region’s previous export rate of 450,000 barrels daily to Turkey. This suspension has severely impacted the financial revenues of Kurdistan, which relies on these exports to pay its employees' salaries.

A proposed pipeline extension from the Region to Kirkuk and then to Basra was considered unfeasible by the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, adding another layer of complexity to the resumption of oil exports.

OPEC has repeatedly warned Iraq about exceeding its oil production quota. The country has overproduced by 1.4 million barrels per day, surpassing its OPEC-mandated limit of 3.6 million barrels per day. This overproduction has been a significant factor in the ongoing suspension of Kurdistan's oil exports.

Crude oil exports from Kurdistan fields and Kirkuk province to Turkey via Ceyhan have been suspended since March 25, 2023. This suspension followed a ruling by the International Court of Arbitration in Paris, which declared these exports illegal.

Despite an interim agreement reached between Erbil and Baghdad on April 4, 2023, to resume exports pending the passage of an oil and gas law by the Iraqi parliament, the situation remains unresolved.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/858216

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No deal to resume oil exports

There is still no agreement to restore operation of the Iraq-Turkey pipeline and resume exporting Kurdish crude to global markets, a spokesperson for an association of oil producers in the Kurdistan Region said on Saturday, estimating that about $19 billion has been lost because of the halt

“There is not currently an agreement for the restoration of oil flow through the Iraq pipeline, but this remains a priority for the APIKUR member companies,” Myles B. Caggins, spokesperson for the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR), told Rudaw in a televised interview.

“We are in close relation and in talks with the Kurdistan Regional Government and the ministry of natural resources and it is our goal to have the oil back through the pipeline as soon as possible,” he added.

Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline have been halted since March 2023 when a Paris-based arbitration court ruled in favor of Baghdad that Ankara had breached a 1973 agreement by allowing Erbil to begin independent oil exports in 2014.

Before the halt, around 400,000 barrels a day were being exported by Erbil through the pipeline, in addition to some 75,000 barrels of Kirkuk’s oil.

According to Caggins, “there has been more than $19 billion in losses to all of the people of Iraq.”

Despite several rounds of talks between Kurdish, Iraqi, and Turkish officials, the exports have yet to resume and many international oil companies have suspended production.

Baghdad, Erbil and the international oil companies held a meeting in Baghdad on June 9 with the goal of resolving all remaining obstacles, but issued no joint statement.

Issues around contracts with the oil producers is the main sticking point. In March, the Iraqi oil ministry said that in accordance with the federal budget, the average cost for producing one barrel of oil is $6.90, while producers operating in the Kurdistan Region are asking for three times that amount, as well as repayment of billions of dollars of debts that the ministry said are “unknown to the federal government.”

Caggins said that APIKUR members “want to have discussions about modifications of contracts, and any modification to those contracts must include a guarantee for past due payments, and also a guarantee for how future payments would happen,” adding that they are looking for surety of payments and that any changes to the contracts must be agreed to by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) as well as the federal government.

Oil producers want Baghdad to take leadership to resolve the situation, according to Caggins.

“What we want from Baghdad is for Baghdad to take leadership on this issue and we want Baghdad to follow through with the promises made during Prime Minister [Mohammed Shia’ al-] Sudani’s meeting with President [Joe] Biden at the White House,” he said.

Sudani visited the United States in April. He and Biden “affirmed the importance of ensuring Iraqi oil can reach international markets and expressed their desire to reopen the Iraq-Turkiye Pipeline,” according to a joint statement released following their meeting.

Kamal Mohammed, the KRG’s acting natural resources minister, said on June 6 that oil companies operating in the Kurdistan Region “have invested large amounts of money in the Region’s oil fields and Baghdad should take this into consideration."

“The main obstacle before the resumption of Kurdistan Region’s oil is that the Iraqi oil ministry says the production cost is too much. The reason behind that is that the companies invested in the oil sector. However, Iraq spends trillions of dinar annually in the oil sector. Therefore, the management of the oil sector in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are different: the sector is general in Iraq while it is private in the Region,” he explained.

Iraq has been working to bring the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline back online, making repairs to damage sustained during the war with the Islamic State (ISIS). This would provide a second export route to Turkey’s Ceyhan port.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/business/31082024

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Progress in resuming oil exports

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iraqi Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani on Tuesday told Kurdistan24 that they continue to negotiate with the Kurdistan Region and hope to resume oil exports shortly

Abdul Ghani highlighted the importance of the existing agreement between the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) regarding oil exports through the Turkish Ceyhan Port. This agreement serves as the foundation for ongoing discussions aimed at resuming vital oil flows.

In addition to addressing oil exports, the Minister acknowledged Iraq's current reliance on gas imports from neighboring Iran. "Although Iraq buys gas from neighboring Iran, it needs more gas to generate electricity, so they will sign more contracts in the future," he said, indicating plans to secure additional energy resources.

While no specific date has been set for the resumption of oil exports, Abdul Ghani emphasized the continuous and collaborative communication between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region. He noted that there is ongoing dialogue with Kamal Mohammad, the acting Minister of Natural Resources for the KRG, underscoring the commitment to cooperation and information exchange.

This development marks a positive step towards enhancing Iraq's energy sector and strengthening the relationship between the Iraqi government and the KRG.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/35 ... tan-Region

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Oil Export Dispute

Sabah Subhi, a member of the Iraqi Parliament's Oil and Gas Committee, confirmed that a delegation from the Iraqi Oil Ministry will visit the Kurdistan Region to address the ongoing oil export dispute between Erbil and Baghdad

Speaking to Kurdistan 24 on Friday, Subhi stated that the decision for the visit was made following a recent meeting between the Iraqi and Kurdistan Region Economic Councils in Erbil. The delegation will focus on the cost of oil production by companies operating in the Region and the halted oil export process.

Under an agreement between Erbil and Baghdad, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is obligated to deliver 400,000 barrels of oil per day to Baghdad, but exports have been suspended due to unresolved issues. Subhi highlighted that the Iraqi federal government's prevention of oil exports is a significant concern, and it is imperative that the Ministry of Oil addresses the matter.

While the exact date of the delegation’s visit has not been set, the talks with the KRG Ministry of Natural Resources are expected to take place in the coming weeks. The visit is considered a critical step toward resolving the oil export impasse and enhancing economic relations between the two governments.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/860346

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Resumption of Kurdistan Oil Exports

The Association of Petroleum International Kurdistan (APIKUR) has called for the continuation of talks between Erbil and Baghdad to expedite the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region, which have been suspended since March 2023

In a statement issued on Sunday, APIKUR stressed the importance of reopening the Iraq-Turkey pipeline and urged swift action to resolve outstanding financial and contractual issues. The association emphasized that Iraq's oil sector, particularly in Kurdistan, is critical to the economy and that any delays in exports impact revenues.

APIKUR pointed to recent remarks by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani as an encouraging sign for restarting oil exports. However, the association reiterated that a key condition for resuming exports is ensuring that previous financial entitlements owed to oil companies operating in the region are paid.

The Iraqi Prime Minister recently highlighted discrepancies in the cost of oil production, stating that while the national budget law sets the production cost at $8 per barrel, contracts in Kurdistan stipulate $26 per barrel. This, he said, has complicated efforts to restart the pipeline and may require either amendments to the region's oil contracts or changes to the budget law.

Al-Sudani also affirmed Iraq's commitment to OPEC production limits, which allow the country to produce four million barrels of oil per day, with 3.3 million barrels allocated for export. He noted that Iraq had produced an excess of 1.4 million barrels earlier this year, a surplus that needs to be offset.

The suspension of Kurdistan's oil exports followed a ruling by a Paris arbitration court in March 2023. The court found that Turkey had violated a 1973 pipeline agreement by allowing the Kurdistan Government (KRG) to independently export oil through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline since 2014, a move opposed by Baghdad. Prior to the suspension, the pipeline had been exporting 450,000 barrels of oil per day, far below its capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day.

As the dispute drags on, APIKUR is urging the Iraqi federal government, the KRG, and international oil companies to find a resolution that will allow for the prompt resumption of oil exports, which are crucial to the region's economic stability.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/861197

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Changes to KRG Oil Contracts

The Finance Committee of the Iraqi Parliament has proposed changing oil contracts between the Kurdistan Government (KRG) and oil companies, suggesting a shift from production-sharing contracts to profit-sharing agreements

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with the committee's chairman and members on September 25, in Erbil to discuss the proposal. Khalil Ghazi, a member of the Finance Committee, told Kurdistan 24 on Sunday that the proposal aims to ensure fairer distribution of revenues from Kurdistan's oil production and exports, which have been suspended since March 25, 2023.

"The KRG has no objection to the proposal, but it requires acceptance from the oil companies, which have not yet made their decision," Ghazi said. He added that the primary goal of the visit was to increase non-oil revenues, such as customs and taxes, with both sides reaching a good understanding on several outstanding issues.

A statement from the KRG noted that Prime Minister Barzani emphasized the importance of resuming oil exports and enacting a federal oil and gas law during the discussions

However, Nehro Ruandzi, Deputy Chairman of the Oil and Gas Committee in the Iraqi Parliament, voiced concerns over the proposal, stating that production-sharing contracts are more beneficial for the KRG and oil companies. "The proposal is not in the interest of the KRG," Ruandzi told Kurdistan 24, citing concerns about potential corruption in profit-sharing contracts and their dependency on fluctuating oil prices.

He also expressed doubt that the oil and gas law would be enacted during Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's tenure, despite Sudani’s desire to see the law passed.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/861885

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Kurdish oil resumption in Russia’s interest

Russia would like to see the resumption of Kurdish oil exports, Moscow’s ambassador to Iraq said on Sunday, noting they directly benefit Russian oil companies

“Unfortunately, they are [Kurdistan Region oil exports] halted up to now. We are interested in them to be resumed because it is in direct interest of our companies,” Ambassador Elbrus Kutrashev told Rudaw.

Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region have been halted since March 2023 after a Paris-based arbitration court ruled in favor of Baghdad against Ankara, saying the latter had breached a 1973 pipeline agreement by allowing Erbil to begin independent oil exports in 2014

“We are having dialogue on this issue with Iraqi and Kurdish partners and friends. So [we] hope that at some moment we’ll these exports to start again, and results will be beneficial for all sides,” Kutrashev said.

Since the halt, Kurdish and Iraqi authorities have been discussing a mechanism for resuming oil exports. In a televised interview earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani told Bloomberg, “There are ongoing talks with the companies and with brothers in the Kurdistan Region. And we hope to reach a solution based on the legal paths,” He called a solution by the end of 2024 “Possible.”

Before the halt, Erbil exported around 400,000 barrels per day through Ankara, in addition to some 75,000 barrels of Kirkuk’s oil.

On Thursday, the finance committee of the Iraqi parliament and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) reached an initial agreement to review the Kurdish government’s contracts with international oil companies, with the goal of restarting oil exports. This was one of the major obstacles ahead of the resumption of exports.

When it began its independent oil sector, the KRG signed production-sharing contracts with international oil companies. Under this model, the oil companies cover the entire cost of production while the KRG receives the lion’s share of the profits from successful projects

Baghdad has repeatedly said that these contracts violate the constitution and must be amended to match the service contracts that the federal government prefers before exports can resume.

The loss in oil revenues, the Kurdistan Region’s main source of income, has worsened the financial situation and left the government unable to pay its public sector without assistance from Baghdad.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/30092024

Land stealing, oil stealing Iraqis are determined to suppress Kurdistan by any means possible

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Kurdistan oil export halt causes

$21 billion in losses

Tens of billions of dollars have been lost since the Kurdistan Region’s oil pipeline exports were halted last year, the oil producing firms said on Saturday, affecting the people and government of Kurdistan

“It has been more than a year since the pipeline has been closed,” Myles Caggins, spokesperson for the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR), told Rudaw in an interview. “And over that time, a whopping, a very big $21 billion has been lost to all people. The companies lose, the Kurdistan Regional Government loses”

Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline have been halted since March 2023 after a Paris-based arbitration court ruled in favor of Baghdad against Ankara, saying the latter had breached a 1973 pipeline agreement by allowing Erbil to begin independent oil exports in 2014

We need to get oil flowing again

Before the stoppage, Erbil exported around 400,000 barrels per day through Ankara, in addition to some 75,000 barrels of Kirkuk’s oil.

The loss in oil revenues, the Kurdistan Region’s main source of income, has worsened the financial situation and left the government unable to pay its public sector without assistance from Baghdad.

Erbil and Baghdad have held numerous meetings since the halt but to no avail.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani told Bloomberg last month that “there are ongoing talks with the companies and with brothers in the Kurdistan Region. And we hope to reach a solution based on the legal paths.” He called a solution by the end of the year “possible.”

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/12102024