Meta Description (SEO snippet): Details of the Iraqi Ministry of Oil delegation's visit to Turkey to discuss increasing the export capacity of the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline and finding alternative, safe outlets for marketing Iraqi oil globally.
An informed Iraqi government source revealed on Saturday the details of an important visit recently conducted by a high-level oil delegation to Turkey. The visit aims to draft a comprehensive agreement and a mutually satisfactory mechanism to ensure the smooth flow of Iraqi oil exports through official Turkish outlets and to increase its capacity.
Composition of the Iraqi Delegation and Discussions in Ankara
The source clarified to Shafaq News Agency that the Iraqi delegation held a series of intensive negotiations with the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and authorities concerned with the oil file in Ankara.
The Iraqi delegation was headed by prominent figures in the energy sector, including:
Naseer Aziz: Deputy Minister of Oil for Extraction Affairs (Head of the Delegation).
Nizar Al-Shatri: Director General of the State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO).
Faisal Hammadi Ramadan: Director General of the North Oil Company.
Directors of the Departments: Legal, Economic, and Internal Audit at the Ministry of Oil.
The discussions focused on reviewing the (Iraqi-Turkish) oil pipeline agreement, discussing the details of protecting the carrier line extending from the Kirkuk fields to the Turkish port of Ceyhan, as well as establishing mechanisms to raise the export capacity to exceed previous rates.
Reasons for Seeking to Increase Exports via Overland Routes
Iraq's request to increase export capacity through Turkish territory comes as a proactive step to face regional challenges. The source pointed out that the unstable security conditions in the region and the continued prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have directly affected the volume of oil exports heading to global markets, which has negatively impacted the country's financial revenues.
In this context, the Iraqi Minister of Oil, Basim Khudhair, confirmed in previous statements that Baghdad is working to accelerate its strategic plans to construct oil pipelines reaching the Mediterranean ports in both Turkey and Syria to create alternative and secure export outlets.
A Preparatory Step for the Visit of Prime Minister "Ali Al-Zaidi"
These oil negotiations gain twofold importance as they precede the upcoming visit of the Iraqi Prime Minister, Ali Al-Zaidi, to the Turkish capital, Ankara, soon. The visit is expected to witness the culmination of these discussions with the signing of a package of strategic bilateral agreements and partnerships between the two countries, topped by the energy and oil file.
North Oil Company Announces Full Readiness
Concurrently with the diplomatic mobility, the North Oil Company announced last Saturday (July 18) the completion of all technical and engineering requirements necessary to resume work. The company confirmed its full readiness to begin operations of receiving and pumping crude oil from the Kirkuk fields through the strategic pipeline towards the Turkish port of Ceyhan as soon as official directives are issued.
