CAIRO — Hopes for an immediate resumption of Iraq’s Kurdish oil exports via Turkey’s Ceyhan pipeline were dampened on Wednesday, as four industry sources familiar with the matter confirmed that a restart is not imminent — despite official statements to the contrary.
Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani had earlier told state news agency INA that flows through the pipeline, halted for nearly two years, would resume later on Wednesday or Thursday. However, insiders close to the negotiations suggest that logistical and political hurdles remain unresolved.
“There are still technical and contractual issues that need ironing out,” one source said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks. “It’s premature to expect oil to flow immediately.”
The pipeline, which once transported up to 450,000 barrels per day of crude from Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region to Turkey’s Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, was halted in 2023 following a legal dispute between Baghdad and Ankara. At the heart of the impasse lies Baghdad’s insistence on centralised control of oil exports — a longstanding source of tension with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The Ceyhan route is seen as vital for both the Kurdish region’s economy and for stabilising Iraq’s broader oil export strategy. However, ongoing disagreements over revenue sharing, export authorisation, and infrastructure access have stalled progress.
While Minister Abdel-Ghani’s comments signal political willingness to move forward, industry observers remain cautious. “It’s clear there’s a desire to resolve this, but on-the-ground realities are more complicated,” said another source familiar with the talks.
As of Wednesday evening, there was no confirmation from Turkish officials or international operators at the Ceyhan port regarding pipeline activity.
The delay underscores the fragile balance between federal authority and regional autonomy in Iraq’s oil sector — a recurring issue that continues to complicate international energy flows in the region.
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