SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — The Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR) has declared that its member companies are once again ready to restart oil exports from the Kurdistan Region, which have been halted for nearly 15 months.
In a statement, the association extends a warm welcome to Ambassador Geoffrey R. Pyatt, US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, on his visit to Iraq. They see this visit as yet another powerful indicator of the urgent need for governmental leaders in Baghdad and Erbil to uphold their commitment to reviving oil exports via the Iraq-Turkey pipeline.
Iraqi Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani (R) meets with Ambassador Geoffrey R. Pyatt, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources in Baghdad on Wednesday. Credit: Oil Ministry
Highlighting recent developments in the Iraqi oil sector, APIKUR acknowledges the completion of two oil field licensing rounds by the Iraq Ministry of Oil. It points out that there exists underutilized oil production and export capacity in the Kurdistan Region, which could readily contribute to Iraq’s immediate and long-term export objectives.
“Ambassador Pyatt’s visits to both, Baghdad and Erbil underscore the importance of immediate and cooperative action by all stakeholders to restore exports through the Iraq-Türkiye pipeline,” said Myles B. Caggins III, spokesman for APIKUR.
APIKUR member companies also reaffirm their readiness to recommence exports, subject to the attainment of agreements that ensure payment security for both past and future exports, as well as the preservation of commercial and economic terms, as stated by the association.
It also asserts that “This resumption will benefit all Iraqi citizens” and their stakeholders.
Kurdistan Region’s one-year halt in oil exports costs billions, oil firms report