Iraqi Kurdistan and the federal government have reached an agreement to resolve long-standing oil disputes, a development that will allow Russian companies to resume their operations in the region, according to Russia’s Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev.
Among the companies affected by the dispute is Rosneft, Russia’s largest oil producer. The company had suspended its operations in the region, citing security concerns as it worked near the Syrian border. The resolution of this issue marks a significant step toward overcoming a major obstacle in relations between the Kurdish region and federal authorities, particularly regarding the resumption of Kurdish oil exports.
Iraq’s Oil Minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani stated on Monday that the country was awaiting approval from Turkey to restart oil flows from the Kurdistan region, with expectations for a resumption within the next two days.
Tsivilev expressed his satisfaction with the resolution, emphasizing its importance for Russian companies that have heavily invested in the region’s oil sector. “This is crucial for us, as our companies operate in the region and have invested significantly. However, the projects were suspended due to disagreements between the federal government and Kurdistan,” Tsivilev said.