Kurdistan Region, Baghdad Agree to Restart Oil Exports

Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region could soon resume following a new agreement with Baghdad to restart flows through the pipeline to Turkey’s Ceyhan port.

The deal comes after a period of disruption and renewed tensions over responsibility for halted exports.

Officials from the Kurdistan Region say they are working within a constitutional framework and have reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation and national responsibility.

The plan includes exporting oil from both Kurdistan Region fields and the Kirkuk oil fields, with a joint committee established to oversee the technical and administrative steps needed to resume exports.

The agreement also includes measures to secure oil infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted operations once exports restart. Revenues from the exports are expected to be transferred to the federal treasury.

The development follows recent disagreements, after Baghdad accused the Kurdistan Region of blocking exports. Kurdish officials rejected those claims, pointing instead to unresolved security and economic challenges affecting the sector.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said exports could resume as soon as possible, highlighting ongoing coordination with Baghdad and support from the United States, including discussions with envoy Tom Barrack.