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Iraq Reportedly Requests Extension of Kirkuk-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline Agreement

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The Iraqi government has reportedly asked Turkey to extend for at least a year the existing Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline agreement that is due to expire on July 27, according to multiple media outlets, citing Ali Nizar, the head of the country's State Oil Marketing Organization.

Nizar said the request was made to allow additional time for negotiations on a replacement deal, Reuters reported.

The decades-long agreement has allowed Iraq to maintain its crude oil exports from Kirkuk to the Turkish port of Ceyhan, as oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz have remained restricted due to geopolitical tensions. About 95% of Iraq's crude was shipped through that route, according to Oilprice.com.

Nizar reportedly said that Iraq has exported 12 million barrels of crude oil from its southern ports since the start of June. The pipeline has a design capacity of 1.6 million barrels per day.

has reached out to Somo and Turkey's energy ministry to seek additional information on the status of negotiations.

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