Efforts to restart oil exports from the Kurdistan Region are underway, with discussions involving the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR), the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and Baghdad’s central authorities.

Colonel Myles Caggins, APIKUR’s spokesperson, emphasized the importance of reopening the Turkey-Iraq oil pipeline during a televised interview with Kurdistan24. He expressed optimism regarding ongoing budget amendment discussions and their potential to align with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s position on resuming oil exports.

The region’s oil exports, which previously reached 400,000 barrels per day, have been on hold, significantly impacting both regional and national revenues. APIKUR is actively advocating for a resolution that would benefit Iraq’s broader economic landscape.

Since 2005, international oil companies have invested heavily in the Kurdistan Region, contributing $10 billion and creating a significant workforce, including 20,000 foreign employees in the energy sector. These investments underline the region’s strategic importance to Iraq’s energy industry.

The talks between Erbil and Baghdad remain a focal point for stakeholders, with the outcome likely to shape the future of the Kurdistan Region’s energy exports and its role in Iraq’s economy.