APIKUR rejects Iraqi Oil Ministry’s actions, demanding a commitment from the Government of Iraq to honor contracts and provide payment guarantees before resuming oil exports.
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| APIKUR calls out Iraqi Oil Ministry for attempting to alter economic agreements and halts oil exports until the Government of Iraq ensures commitment to contract terms. Image: APIKUR |
London, UK — March 29, 2025:
The Kurdistan Oil and Gas Producers Association (APIKUR) has publicly objected to the actions of the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, accusing it of undermining negotiations and attempting to alter the established terms of legal agreements between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and international oil companies (IOCs).
APIKUR, which represents IOCs operating in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), has been in ongoing discussions with the Government of Iraq (GOI) to resolve the issue of oil exports via the Iraqi-Türkiye pipeline. However, the association claims the Iraqi Ministry of Oil has shown unwillingness to negotiate in good faith. Instead, it alleges that the Ministry is attempting to unilaterally change the economic framework that governs the contracts between the KRG and IOCs.
A statement from APIKUR read: “We understand today the Ministry of Oil has demonstrated it is unwilling to negotiate a solution that honors IOCs' contract sanctity and is attempting to establish a process to unilaterally alter the economic framework of legal and valid contracts.”
In response to these actions, APIKUR has stated that its member companies will not resume oil exports until the GOI commits to honoring existing contracts and provides payment assurances for both past and future exports.
APIKUR’s mission is to promote the Kurdistan Region as an attractive destination for international oil and gas investments, while advocating for the collective interests of its members. The association also serves as a platform to facilitate the sharing of industry insights and best practices, further solidifying the KRI’s role in the global oil and gas market.