Kurdistan’s resources respond with 5 points to Ala Talabani: Our production is 255,000 barrels and our oil is under Baghdad’s supervision

Kurdistan’s resources respond with 5 points to Ala Talabani: Our production is 255,000 barrels and our oil is under Baghdad’s supervision

2026-10-29

Shafaq News – Erbil
The Ministry of Natural Resources in the Kurdistan Regional Government expressed on Thursday its categorical rejection of the “false, misleading and false” claims made by former Federal Parliament member Ala Talabani on the local satellite channel (Al-Oula), known for its hostile stances towards the Kurdistan Region, regarding oil production in the region, its exports and the international oil companies operating there. The Ministry denied accusations of oil smuggling operations from the region, and affirmed that the Federal Ministry of Oil oversees exports.

In a strongly worded and detailed statement, the ministry said, “These allegations, which lack facts and reliable data, not only harm the performance of the Kurdistan Regional Government institutions, but also undermine the credibility of federal institutions and the mechanisms for managing this file, and raise a number of questions about the basis on which such statements are made.”

Claim that the Kurdistan Region produces 650,000 barrels of oil per day

The Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed in its statement that, “In accordance with the Federal General Budget Law, Wood Mackenzie, a specialized consulting firm contracted by the Federal Ministry of Oil, was selected to study the quantities of oil produced in the Kurdistan Region’s fields and the costs of its production and transportation.”

She noted that “according to the company’s data, the region’s current oil production is about 255,000 barrels per day, while its projections indicate the possibility of it reaching 308,000 barrels per day by 2027, at best, provided that international oil companies receive all their financial and contractual dues, and that the necessary security conditions are available, enabling them to continue investing in the drilling and development operations necessary to maintain and increase production levels,” stressing that “claiming figures and attributing them to a reputable international institution without it having published or officially announced them is a clear deception of public opinion, and an attempt to present undocumented information as facts.”

Oil smuggling allegations

The ministry said, “Talking about oil smuggling reveals a clear ignorance of the export mechanisms and the approved control procedures for managing these operations. There are 42 representatives from the Federal Ministry of Oil supervising the export of the region’s oil to Turkey.”

Natural Resources stressed that “any claim of smuggling requires the presentation of clear and specific evidence, and raises direct questions about the mechanisms for managing export operations and the federal entities responsible for them, which are handled by the North Oil Company in cooperation with the Iraqi Oil Marketing Company (SOMO).”

It was considered that “if these claims are based on actual evidence, it is more appropriate for the Federal Ministry of Oil to clarify the facts to the public and to defend the export mechanisms it oversees and its relevant personnel, instead of leaving the field open to false and misleading accusations.”

Oil revenues

The ministry stated that “all revenues obtained from the sale of oil exported from the Kurdistan Region through SOMO go to the treasury of the Federal Ministry of Finance. Accordingly,” it clarified that “any claim of irregularities related to these revenues should be based on evidence, and responsibility should be directed to the entities that manage and oversee these funds. Therefore, directing accusations at the Kurdistan Regional Government in this regard, instead of holding the relevant federal authorities accountable, lacks logic and objectivity.”

International oil companies operating in the region

The ministry pointed out that “the oil companies operating in the Kurdistan Region are well-known international companies, registered in global markets, listed on international stock exchanges, and subject to strict standards in financial disclosure, auditing, compliance and anti-corruption,” stressing that “the contracts of those companies operating in the region have been legally recognized by the Federal Court and are in effect.”

She explained that “some of these companies have contracts with the Federal Ministry of Oil and also operate in other areas of Iraq. Therefore, the claim that these companies belong to ruling families in the region is a serious and unacceptable accusation, and it impinges on the integrity of these companies and their international reputation, as well as harming the investment environment in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in general.”

Natural Resources continued, saying that “launching such accusations without providing reliable evidence does not serve transparency or the public interest, but rather harms Iraq’s investment reputation and undermines the trust that the relevant institutions seek to establish with international companies and investors.”

Cooperation between Erbil and Baghdad

The ministry stated, “Over the past years, the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Government have worked diligently and responsibly to address outstanding issues and resolve disputes related to the oil file. Within the framework of this cooperation, the regional government has allowed the Federal Ministry of Oil to visit all oil fields without exception, and has also opened the door for independent international experts to examine this sector and review export meters.”

The statement concluded by saying that “making claims that are not based on facts does not serve the Iraqi national interest, but rather hinders the cooperation, coordination and understandings that have been achieved between the two sides, and harms the confidence of international investors in the oil and gas sector in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.”

In conclusion, the Ministry of Natural Resources called on the media to adhere to professionalism and responsibility, to be accurate in conveying information, to obtain data from official and reliable sources, and to refrain from publishing claims that lack evidence,” stressing “its constant readiness to clarify any information or data related to the oil and gas sector in the Kurdistan Region, based on its commitment to transparency and protecting the public interest.”

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