Kurdistan oil exports remain suspended, but the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR) is intensifying calls for immediate action. APIKUR spokesman Col. Myles B. Caggins III urged Baghdad and Erbil to act quickly after the Arab Summit, naming the Iraq-Turkey pipeline reopening as the top priority.
Caggins stressed the urgency during an interview, pushing the Iraqi Minister of Oil to gather all parties for post-summit talks. “We are confident that swift action following the summit can lead to rapid progress,” he said, emphasizing that restarting exports aligns with the goals of Prime Ministers Masrour Barzani and Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
APIKUR represents eight member companies, including three based in the United States. It works with both the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Baghdad to resolve issues that have stalled oil exports for over a year. Talks now focus on four key demands: settling nearly $1 billion in unpaid dues, outlining future revenue structures. Ensuring legal compliance under Article 12 of Iraq’s budget law, and agreeing to third-party auditing of production and transport costs.
Caggins highlighted diplomatic momentum surrounding Barzani’s upcoming visit to Washington. The U.S. State Department and embassy teams in Erbil and Baghdad continue to monitor the file closely. He noted that APIKUR stands ready to resume exports once written agreements are in place.
Kurdistan oil exports have been frozen since March 2023. That’s when Turkey halted crude flows following an international arbitration ruling that upheld Baghdad’s exclusive right to manage oil exports. The result: a loss of access to international markets for 450,000 barrels per day, causing economic stress for the Kurdistan Region.
Efforts to resolve the stalemate continue. A KRG delegation recently met with Iraq’s Ministry of Oil and APIKUR officials in Baghdad. Their aim was to develop a new framework for restarting exports under a federal oversight system. However, Iraqi MP Sabah Sobhi said oil companies remain dissatisfied with Baghdad’s proposed financial models. “They have rejected the current terms due to unclear contracts and lack of profit guarantees,” he stated.
APIKUR insists on concrete terms and financial security before committing to resuming exports. The organization believes a clear and fair agreement will not only help the companies but also revive Iraq’s economy and restore Kurdistan’s global oil presence.
Kurdistan oil exports will not resume until all sides agree on transparent, enforceable terms. Yet, with renewed diplomatic engagement and public pressure, stakeholders may finally be moving toward a breakthrough.