Iraq confirmed receiving over one million barrels of crude oil from the Kurdistan Region as the first tanker loaded at Ceyhan port. This marks a major achievement for Iraq’s budget and a new era in energy cooperation. Iraq’s oil exports from Kurdistan now flow under a federal framework, ensuring transparency, financial certainty, and stronger national revenues.
Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani celebrated the milestone, calling it a “great achievement” for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. He highlighted that the first tanker, with a 650,000-barrel capacity, successfully loaded at Ceyhan and is ready for global markets. “The federal government now manages Kurdish oil exports for the first time,” he stated. Iraq’s oil exports from Kurdistan are expected to provide immediate financial support for public sector salaries and economic growth.
Therefore, the resumption follows complex negotiations between Baghdad, Erbil, and international oil companies. This agreement ended a costly two-and-a-half-year halt, allowing Iraq to receive revenue from Kurdish oil once again. The restart ensures fair distribution of resources, strengthens investor confidence, and promotes cooperation. Iraq’s oil exports from Kurdistan now proceed under a legally binding tripartite agreement that also safeguards international company payments.
Under the deal, all crude produced in the Kurdistan Region goes to Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO). Companies receive compensation through in-kind deliveries at Ceyhan. Iraq’s Ministry of Finance also provides interim payments per barrel to cover production and transport costs. This system encourages local investment and higher production in the Kurdistan Region, benefiting Iraq’s economy overall.
Experts noted that Iraq’s oil exports from Kurdistan hold strategic importance. The Ceyhan pipeline provides a crucial alternative to Basra ports and the Strait of Hormuz. It can handle up to one million barrels per day, including oil from Kirkuk, increasing Iraq’s global market flexibility. Analysts also said Kurdish oil boosts European and global energy security as an alternative to Russian supplies.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani hailed the milestone as a historic achievement. Both leaders emphasized that cooperation over oil can encourage resolutions to other pending issues between Baghdad and Erbil. Iraq’s oil exports from Kurdistan now signal economic stability, renewed trust, and long-term strategic benefits for the country.