Peregraf
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani stated that "technical issues" are behind the ongoing delay in resuming oil exports from the region, despite the Kurdistan Regional Government's readiness to restart shipments through the pipeline to Turkey.
"We are prepared to resume exports," Barzani told reporters. "But there are still some technical issues."
His remarks come as hopes rise for a breakthrough following a new round of negotiations scheduled this week between the Iraqi Oil Ministry, the KRG, and the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (Apikur). The meeting is expected to be attended by Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani, senior KRG officials, and representatives of Apikur.
This latest attempt at dialogue follows a series of failed talks — most recently on March 6 — which ended without agreement due to disputes over $1 billion in outstanding payments to international oil companies and uncertainties about future financial guarantees.
The stakes remain high. Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region and Kirkuk to Turkey have been suspended since March 25, 2023, following an arbitration ruling by the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce in favor of Baghdad. The court ruled that Turkey had violated a bilateral agreement by allowing Kurdish oil exports without the federal government’s approval, prompting Ankara to shut down the pipeline at the Ceyhan port.
Since then, the KRG has reportedly lost more than $28 billion in revenue, according to Apikur.
In a sign of shifting tone, the Iraqi Oil Ministry recently dismissed Apikur’s accusations that Baghdad was avoiding meaningful negotiations and instead called for "urgent talks" to resolve the impasse.
Oil Minister Abdul Ghani had earlier expressed cautious optimism that exports could resume at a rate of 185,000 barrels per day, but technical, legal, and financial disputes have continued to stall progress.
The prolonged halt in exports is severely impacting the Kurdistan Region’s economy and creating fiscal strains across Iraq. Both Erbil and Baghdad, along with international stakeholders, are under increasing pressure to reach a lasting and fair agreement that would restore vital oil revenues and uphold contractual commitments.