AM:11:03:19/04/2025
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Erbil – A scheduled meeting between oil companies, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and Baghdad officials to resume oil exports has been postponed, NRT has learned.
The meeting, which was expected to address the long-standing suspension of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region, was delayed amid ongoing disagreements over revenue management and transparency.
The United States has urged both sides to resume exports as soon as possible. According to U.S. estimates, approximately $2 billion worth of oil has been smuggled from the region so far this year.
One of the core issues remains the management of oil revenues. The KRG has insisted on controlling the proceeds from oil sales, while federal law requires Baghdad to oversee payments and financial procedures.
Another point of contention is the consulting company tasked with determining the cost of producing a barrel of oil in the region. The KRG has yet to approve the company, causing further delays in resolving technical disputes.
In addition, Baghdad has raised concerns over the KRG’s reported request to retain 115,000 barrels out of the 400,000 barrels it is obligated to deliver daily—fueling mistrust and complicating negotiations.
The postponement comes at a critical time for Iraq’s energy sector, as international partners continue to press for a resolution and resumption of regular oil exports from the Kurdistan Region.