Turkey intends to intensify energy collaboration with Iraq: Government representative

The energy relations between Turkey and Iraq are poised for a significant boost, as both nations aim to elevate their cooperation to a new phase, according to Deputy Energy and Natural Resources Minister Ahmet Berat Cönkar.

In October 2014, negotiations between international oil companies, the Kurdish Regional Administration (KRG) in Iraq, and the central government in Baghdad regarding the resumption of oil transport through the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline reached a conclusion. However, the pipeline has been halted since 2023 due to an arbitration ruling by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) that Turkey is appealing.

Cönkar expressed optimism about the energy potential with Iraq, stating that it is higher than in the past. He also mentioned that Turkey has sent a draft proposal to renew and expand the energy agreement between the two countries, with a focus on making energy cooperation a driver of a more confident future outlook.

Recent discussions have been held about resuming oil flow through the Kirkuk-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline, a project that has been operating since the 1970s. The pipeline, which connects Kirkuk in Iraq to Ceyhan in Turkey, could be further developed in terms of natural gas, electricity, and the Development Road Project, a venture seen as a means to expand the scope of cooperation between the two nations.

Analysts emphasize the Development Road's key role in expanding cooperation between Ankara and Baghdad. The pipeline's revitalization is not only about resuming oil flows but also about promoting stability and prosperity in the region.

Turkey, however, claims that the ICC recognized most of Ankara's demands in the ongoing arbitration. The ICC ordered Ankara to pay Baghdad damages of $1.5 billion over unauthorized exports by Iraq's KRG between 2014 and 2018. Cönkar reiterated a focus on elevating energy cooperation and long-standing relations with Iraq to a new phase.

Negotiations between international oil companies, the KRG, and the central government in Baghdad are reportedly nearing a conclusion. Once these negotiations are resolved, Turkey expects the Kirkuk-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline to operate at full capacity.

Cönkar expressed a goal to elevate energy cooperation and long-standing relations with Iraq to a new phase. He stated that Turkish-Iraqi energy ties are significant and that Turkey is closely following these discussions with Iraq. The Deputy Minister also highlighted the importance of ongoing efforts to build the necessary infrastructure for energy cooperation.

Turkey intends to intensify energy collaboration with Iraq: Government representative