Turkey aware of Iraqi concerns on KRG oil

ANKARA - Reuters

Energy Minister says Turkey does not want to violate its deals with Baghdad. DHA Photo

Turkey will not import energy from Iraq without the approval of the federal government in Baghdad, aware of its concerns after the autonomous Kurdish region said it would build a second oil pipeline to Turkey, Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said on Nov.1.

Kurdish-built pipelines, by offering a route to Western markets that bypasses national infrastructure, may encourage northern Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to seek greater independence from Baghdad, with which it has been at loggerheads over oil-production contracts and revenue sharing.

“Turkey is aware of Iraq’s concerns... and has given its guarantee that it will not permit any kind of oil shipments without the approval of the federal government in Baghdad,” Yıldız told reporters, adding Turkey did not want to violate its existing energy agreements with Baghdad.

Ashti Hawrami, the KRG’s natural-resources minister, said Thursday the region now wants to build a second link with Turkey as it targets production of 3 million barrels of oil per day eventually for export. The second link is expected to run parallel to the ageing Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline administered by Baghdad.

Yıldız also said Turkey wants to boost energy cooperation with Baghdad, including raising capacity on the outdated Kirkuk-Ceyhan crude pipeline and building a new link.