Iraq has asked the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to help transport crude oil from the Kirkuk oilfields to Turkey’s Ceyhan port, according to two oil officials familiar with the discussions.
The request was made in a letter sent by Iraq’s oil ministry to the KRG early last week, seeking the pumping of at least 100,000 barrels per day through northern export infrastructure.
The pipeline is operated by the Kurdistan Pipeline Company, which manages the main route carrying crude from northern Iraq to a connection point with the Iraq–Turkey pipeline.
Officials said shipments could gradually rise depending on oil availability, with Baghdad expected to cover transit fees for the use of the pipeline network.
The move is part of Iraq’s effort to reduce severe revenue losses caused by the suspension of crude exports from its southern oil terminals.
Production in Iraq’s main southern oilfields has fallen sharply, dropping by about 70% to roughly 1.3 million barrels per day from around 4.3 million bpd, sources said.
The disruption follows the ongoing Iran war, which has prevented the country from exporting oil through the Gulf.
Meanwhile, the northern Kirkuk oilfields are currently producing around 350,000 barrels per day, with most of the crude being directed to domestic refineries, including the Baiji refinery, Iraq’s largest.
Under the proposal, oil from southern fields would be sent to Baiji to replace the Kirkuk crude that would be exported via Turkey.
Officials warned that the sharp fall in production and exports could further strain Iraq’s finances, as the government relies heavily on crude oil revenues to fund its national budget.