SOMO: Baghdad and Erbil Reach Have a Good Understanding on Oil Exports

PUKMEDIA

Oil field in the Kurdistan Region.

Ali Nizar, Director of Iraq’s State Organization for Marketing Oil (SOMO), announced on Sunday, 7 September 2025, that the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have a good understanding regarding the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region through Türkiye.

Nizar explained that Baghdad has agreed to reduce the Kurdistan Region’s daily export quota from 400,000 barrels to 230,000 barrels—or even less—due to declining production levels in the region. He added that another key element of the talks concerns international oil companies, which require guarantees to continue operating safely and to resolve outstanding disputes. “If these issues are addressed soon, it will benefit the region and help end the conflict,” Nizar said.

However, oil and energy expert Bahjat Ahmed told PUKMEDIA that no final agreement has yet been reached. He argued that delays are partly due to oil companies “acting against international business principles and becoming entangled in political conflicts,” which has complicated progress. 

Ahmed stressed that, under existing contracts, oil companies have no authority to interfere in export arrangements through Türkiye’s Ceyhan port or in Baghdad’s agreements with Erbil.

Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region remain suspended, despite being one of the main points under negotiation between Baghdad and Erbil. 

The disputes between Baghdad and Erbil have persisted for more than three years, with no agreement reached on resuming oil exports. This ongoing deadlock has had direct consequences for public sector salaries in the Kurdistan Region.

In the past eight months, the federal government has transferred funds for only six salary payments, while the fate of two additional payments unresolved.



PUKMEDIA