Iraq and Turkey discuss agreement to transport crude oil via Kirkuk – Ceyhan
Iraq and Turkey discuss agreement to transport crude oil via Kirkuk – Ceyhan
2026-07-09
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair Al-Abadi held a meeting on Thursday with Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar to discuss the agreement between the two countries regarding the Kirkuk-Ceyhan crude oil export pipeline.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Oil, received by Shafaq News Agency, the meeting was held to discuss ways to enhance joint cooperation between the two countries in the implementation of joint projects in the oil and gas and pipeline sectors. The two sides exchanged discussions on expanding the prospects of cooperation between the two neighboring countries in various fields, in a way that serves common interests.
The statement noted that both sides agreed on the importance of continuing discussions and negotiations on issues related to the oil transport agreement, increasing export capacities and capacities via the export pipeline, implementing other projects, and the possibility of Turkish companies participating in investment and strategic projects in the oil sector.
An official source in the state-owned North Oil Company revealed on Wednesday, June 24, that the preparation and readiness of the Iraqi-Turkish pipeline extending from Kirkuk to the Turkish port of Ceyhan had been completed, confirming that trial pumping through the pipeline would begin within two weeks in preparation for resuming exports in a stable manner.
Iraq had asked Turkey to extend the Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline agreement for at least a year, in a move aimed at giving both sides more time to negotiate a new agreement regulating oil exports through this vital route.
The current agreement for the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline expires on July 27, after decades of regulating oil exports between Iraq and Turkey.
shafaq.com
