Kurdistan Oil & Gas Belongs to Kurdistan NOT Iraq

[Anthea]

Oil Deal Secures Kurdistan’s Rights

Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani praised the historic oil agreement with the Federal Iraqi Oil Ministry and SOMO, calling it the result of the hard work and efforts of all teams and delegations

In a statement PM Barzani stated “Today’s agreement between the Kurdistan Region and oil companies with the Federal Ministry of Oil and SOMO is the result of tireless efforts and months of negotiation by teams on all sides. With this step, oil from Kurdistan Region’s fields will again enter the global market.”

Kurdistan PM said, I commend everyone, especially the resilient people of Kurdistan, for overcoming a major obstacle to securing their legitimate financial rights on this historic day. With renewed exports, we are determined to implement all constitutional rights of Kurdistan

Separately, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani announced on Thursday a landmark agreement concerning oil exports from the Kurdistan Region. Posting on X, al-Sudani said the deal enables the Federal Ministry of Oil to receive crude from Kurdistan’s fields and export it via the Iraq–Turkey pipeline.

Iraqi PM described the agreement as a move toward equitable wealth distribution, diversification of export routes, and promotion of investment, calling it “an achievement 18 years in the making.”

Earlier this week, the KRG, the federal government, and oil-producing companies finalized a trilateral agreement to restart oil exports from the Kurdistan Region. According to the deal, the region will deliver 230,000 barrels of crude per day to the State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) while keeping 50,000 barrels per day for local consumption.

The agreement is expected to help settle long-standing disputes between Baghdad and Erbil over oil management, revenue sharing, and export rights. By providing a clear framework for federal oversight of Kurdistan’s crude exports, the deal could ease tensions and create a more predictable environment for cooperation.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/895437

[Anthea]

PM Barzani Urges Baghdad to
End Collective Punishment

Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has strongly criticized the federal government for withholding Kurdistan’s budget and civil servant salaries, accusing it of using economic pressure as punishment for the Region’s development efforts

The Kurdish leader made these remarks on Sunday during the inauguration of the first phase of the Erbil Water Supply Emergency Project in Erbil, a major infrastructure effort aimed at shielding the capital from water scarcity for the next three decades.

Speaking at the site of the new water facility, PM Barzani called the project a “strategic achievement” completed in record time by a local company, Hemn Group, using local materials and engineers. Once completed, the system will treat 480,000 cubic meters of water per day and provide continuous, potable water to dozens of neighborhoods across Erbil, many of which have long suffered from chronic shortages.

“This project shows what can be achieved when there is a genuine will to serve the people,” he said. “But while we are trying to meet the needs of our citizens, others have chosen to block salaries and revenues as a form of collective punishment.”

Prime Minister Barzani accused some “domestic sides” within the Kurdistan Region of asking Baghdad to directly interfere in the Region’s budget management, contributing to the financial deadlock. “Instead of being supportive, they punish the citizens.

They cut salaries, cut livelihoods, and withhold the Region’s budget,” he said. “We were expecting to be thanked, but instead, we have been obstructed.”

Thr prime minister reiterated that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is committed to fulfilling its duties under the Iraqi constitution, including the delivery of 50% of domestic revenues to the federal government. However, he said Baghdad has failed to uphold its end of the bargain by not sending the Region’s share of the federal budget in full or on time.

“We are a federal entity, and the Kurdistan Region has the right to its own budget,” he said. “It is not acceptable that our citizens are punished for political disputes or targeted attacks.”

PM Barzani revealed that a recent agreement had been reached between the KRG and Baghdad under which the Region would deliver 230,000 barrels of oil per day through Iraq’s national oil company SOMO, along with 120 billion dinars in non-oil revenue. But he said that shortly after the agreement, drone attacks targeted Kurdistan’s oil infrastructure, reducing production and raising concerns about Baghdad using the disruption as an excuse to delay payments again.

“They told us they would send salaries if we agreed on the principle. We agreed,” PM Barzani said. “But then came the attacks. Now they say they are waiting to receive the full amount of oil. How is that possible under these circumstances?”

The Kurdish leader added that a federal delegation had recently visited the damaged oil fields to verify the situation, and submitted a report to Baghdad confirming reduced capacity. He called on the federal government to end what he described as an “unconstitutional and illegal decision to cut salaries” and fulfill its financial obligations.

In addition to addressing fiscal disputes, PM Barzani highlighted the environmental and public health benefits of the new water project. The new system will allow Erbil to phase out the use of underground wells and polluting diesel generators, helping restore groundwater levels and reduce air pollution.

“This project is not only about water,” he said. “It is about quality of life, sustainability, and our duty to future generations.”

The project includes a water intake unit on the Zab River in Kawrgosk, a multi-stage water treatment plant, a main distribution center in Seberan with 100,000 cubic meters of storage, and over 600 km of high-quality piping. It was launched on July 20, 2024, and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Prime Minister Barzani concluded his remarks by expressing readiness to share the Kurdistan Region’s experience with other provinces across Iraq. “We are ready to put our expertise at the service of all Iraq, if it means better serving citizens,” he said.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/889719

Why is Kurdistan giving 50% of it's domestic revenues to the Iraqi federal government!?!

The same Iraqi government that committed genocide against the Kurds

The same Iraqi government that has refused compensation to the remaining victims of the Anfal campaign

The same Iraqi government that with the help of the traitor Bafel Talabani stole Kurdish land

[Anthea]

KRG Exports Over 2.1 Million Barrels

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kamal Mohammed, Acting Minister of Natural Resources for the Kurdistan Government (KRG), announced on Wednesday that over 2.1 million barrels of oil have been exported from the Kurdistan Region to Turkey’s Ceyhan port so far, with an average of 190,000 barrels delivered daily to Iraq’s State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) over the past 11 days

“Kurdistan currently produces 250,000 barrels of oil per day, of which 50,000 barrels are allocated for domestic consumption,” Minister Mohammed told Kurdistan24. He explained that this portion is used for generating electricity, producing gasoline, and a small amount of kerosene, emphasizing that these supplies are essential to sustaining all sectors in the Region.

The minister further noted that the Iraqi government has pledged to provide an additional 15,000 barrels of oil daily if the current supply falls short of domestic needs.

Mohammed confirmed that on Oct. 3, SOMO reported storage congestion at Ceyhan port, prompting a 10-hour suspension of oil exports. A similar reduction in exports occurred on Oct. 6 due to full warehouses once again. He clarified that such overflow incidents are normal and that the KRG has coordinated with the Iraqi Oil Ministry to establish a more efficient export schedule.

He reaffirmed that the management, data, and transportation of oil from the Kurdistan Region to Ceyhan remain under KRG authority, while SOMO’s role is limited to marketing the oil. “Sixty-five percent of the salaries paid by the Iraqi government to the Kurdistan Region come from oil revenues,” he said, explaining that part of the proceeds from SOMO sales goes to Baghdad, while revenues from other companies are placed in a special account to be distributed at the end of each month with KRG approval.

Regarding financial disputes with Baghdad, Mohammed said the Iraqi government had cited three reasons for withholding public sector salaries in the Kurdistan Region—oil revenues, non-oil revenues, and financial management — noting that the KRG’s recent actions represent “a positive step toward resolving the issue.”

He also announced that distribution of kerosene to citizens will begin within the next 10 days.

The acting minister highlighted that oil exports had been suspended for 30 months due to a legal dispute initiated by the Iraqi government, causing significant losses to all parties involved. “The current export agreement will remain in effect until Dec. 31, but exports will continue beyond that date until a new deal is reached,” he stated.

Mohammed concluded by noting that if Kirkuk oil is exported through the KRG pipeline, Turkey will receive $1.29 per barrel from the Iraqi Oil Ministry.

On Sept. 25, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani announced a tripartite agreement involving the Kurdistan Region, international oil companies, and Iraq’s Federal Ministry of Oil. This agreement will enable the resumption of crude oil exports from the Kurdistan Region through the Iraq–Turkey pipeline.

On the same day, in a statement on social media platform X, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said the tripartite agreement is the “result of tireless efforts and months of negotiation by teams on all sides.”

The agreement follows months of complex negotiations after oil exports from the Kurdistan Region were halted in March 2023, when a Paris-based International Chamber of Arbitration ruling required Baghdad’s approval for shipments through the Ceyhan pipeline. The stoppage cut off a vital revenue source for both governments, exacerbating fiscal pressures and limiting Iraq’s influence on global energy markets.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/86 ... r-confirms