Iraq Confirms Smooth Resumption of Kurdistan Region Oil Exports

Iraqi Ministry of Oil

Reopening of Iraq-Türkiye pipeline.

The Iraqi Ministry of Oil confirmed that oil exports from the Kurdistan Region resumed on Saturday, 27 September 2025, proceeding at a rapid pace and without any issues.

In a statement, the ministry said: “In implementation of the directives of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, and under the direct supervision of Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil Haylan Abdul Ghani, and in close coordination with the Ministry of Natural Resources in the Kurdistan Region, oil exports from the region resumed this morning via the Iraq–Türkiye pipeline.”

The ministry confirmed that operations began at 6:00 AM (Local Time), running smoothly and without technical problems. It described the development as a reflection of the success of joint efforts between the federal and regional governments in achieving this “important accomplishment.”

Director General of Iraq's State Organisation for Marketing Oil (SOMO), Ali Nizar al-Shatri, confirmed on Friday that the agreement to restart exports had been implemented, with revenues allocated directly to the federal budget.

Speaking at a press conference, Shatri said: “We reaffirm what the Iraqi government has announced regarding reaching a comprehensive, professional and fair agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources in the Kurdistan Region and with the operating companies in the region’s fields. Under this agreement, crude oil produced in the Kurdistan Region will be delivered to SOMO and exported through the Turkish port of Ceyhan, in line with international contracts and standards adopted by the organisation.”

He explained that the agreement includes an allocation of approximately 50,000 barrels per day for local consumption, to be managed by the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Natural Resources.

Shatri stressed that this “long-awaited agreement” is tied to the implementation of Iraq’s three-year federal budget law for 2023–2025, as well as the latest 2025 budget amendment. He noted that negotiations for the deal had stretched over 30 months, conducted in a professional, constructive, and national spirit.

“The aim was to restore control and regulate oil exports from the Kurdistan Region, primarily through the northern route, so that they could return to international markets in a sound and recognised manner,” Shatri added, pointing out that major global companies had been eagerly awaiting this step.




PUKMEDIA