Kurdistan resumed crude exports September 27, sending 190,000 barrels daily via Iraq–Turkey pipeline under tripartite deal.
Following multiple meetings between the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Iraq’s Federal Oil Ministry, a tripartite agreement was reached between the two ministries and the international oil companies operating in Kurdistan. Under this arrangement, Kurdistan’s oil is delivered to Ceyhan through Iraq’s state oil marketer SOMO. The process is jointly supervised by representatives of both the KRG’s Ministry of Natural Resources and the federal Oil Ministry.
On the same day, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani announced that “a historic event has taken place.” After more than two years of halted exports, Kurdistan’s oil was once again being exported by pipeline, bringing benefits to all Iraqis in general and to the Kurdistan Region in particular. He thanked all figures and parties that played a role in restarting the process, highlighting especially the role of the United States — from Washington to its embassy in Baghdad and consulate in Erbil — for their strong support.
In a statement after the restart, the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed that after extensive discussions with Iraq’s Federal Oil Ministry and the international operators, the tripartite agreement enabled resumption of exports via SOMO.
On the same day, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “I welcome the agreement between the Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq’s federal government, and the oil companies to restart exports.” He stressed that the agreement had Washington’s backing and would benefit both Americans and Iraqis.
The U.S. State Department later issued its own statement, praising the leadership of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in reaching the deal. It emphasized that the agreement, facilitated by Washington, would strengthen U.S.–Iraq economic ties and encourage more American companies to invest in Iraq.
Meanwhile, Iraq’s Oil Ministry announced on September 27, 2025, that exports from the Kurdistan Region had resumed via the Iraq–Turkey pipeline. In a statement, the ministry said that under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghani, and in cooperation with the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Kurdistan’s crude oil exports through the pipeline had officially restarted.
The ministry said this was an important step toward managing national resources in a spirit of partnership and coordination, ensuring sustainable exports and supporting the national economy.
The Kurdish Globe