APIKUR Criticises Baghdad Oil Pipeline Engagement
By John Lee.
Representatives of the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR) and other international oil companies met with Iraqi and Kurdish officials on 20th April to discuss restarting oil exports via the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline, but according to a statement from APIKUR on Sunday, no agreement was reached.
The trade body said its member companies remain ready to resume exports once binding agreements ensuring payment certainty and addressing arrears are in place, and they have proposed several solutions that align with Iraq's Budget Law and existing contracts.
It added that despite public statements supporting a restart, the Iraqi Government's engagements have been "limited and unproductive", with no substantive progress on payment arrangements.
Full statement from APIKUR:
Representatives of member companies from the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR) and other International Oil Companies (IOCs) participated in a meeting on April 20 with officials from the Government of Iraq (GoI) and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to discuss the resumption of oil exports via the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline (ITP). Unfortunately, the meeting did not result in any agreements.
APIKUR member companies remain ready to immediately resume exports through ITP once binding agreements are in place that ensure payment certainty for such exports in line with each IOC's existing contractual terms, and that resolve all outstanding payment arrears.
APIKUR acknowledges the Governments' need to ensure consistency with Iraq's Budget Law. We also note that the KRG's contracts with IOCs have been deemed legal and valid by Iraq's courts; therefore, any payment arrangements, including the scope of work for an international consultant must satisfy both Iraq's Budget Law and the IOCs' existing contracts.
With this in mind, multiple solutions and recommendations have been proposed-publicly and privately-by a number of member companies of APIKUR to the GoI and KRG. The recommendations included a proposed scope of work for the international consultant that met the test of consistency with both Iraq's budget law and IOC contracts. However, this has not yet been accepted.
On APIKUR proposals for payment surety for future exports, the Governments have indicated willingness to consider options. Notwithstanding, no substantive discussion of arrangements required to ensure payment has taken place. And no progress has been made on the issue of IOC payment arrears.
The GoI continues to publicly express the importance of oil exports through the ITP but engagements thus far have been limited and unproductive. APIKUR calls for redoubling of efforts to find mutually beneficial solutions.
"APIKUR member companies have repeatedly proposed solutions that satisfy, both, Iraq's Budget Law and comply with international oil company contracts which have been validated in Iraq's courts," said Myles B. Caggins III, spokesman for the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan. "We regret the lack of progress, nevertheless we will continue to push for a resumption oil exports through the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline."
(Source: APIKUR)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
6 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Asaib Ahl al-Haq leader denies role in Kurdistan salary crisis
Shafaq News/ On Saturday, Asaib Ahl al-Haq leader Qais al-Khazali pushed back against Kurdish media reports implicating him to the federal government's salary freeze in the Kurdistan Region, calling the claims 'false.' Delivering Eid al-Adha sermon, al-Khazali referenced official data showing poverty rates in Kurdistan surpassing the national average and attributed the rising number of Kurdish refugees abroad to repeated salary delays. 'Employees in the Region have yet to receive their pay.' He emphasized equal rights and responsibilities for all Iraqis but criticized some Kurdish leaders for what he described as 'weak commitment' to national unity, asserting, 'Many in Kurdistan's leadership are not fully invested in a unified Iraq.' Turning to broader challenges, al-Khazali blamed post-2003 governments for 'failing' to improve essential services despite Iraq's wealth, stressing the need for genuine reform. 'The country is on the path to healing, but it needs sincere efforts from all who hold responsibility.' He also warned of unprecedented electricity shortages this summer, blaming past administrations for focusing only on boosting output while ignoring energy conservation. 'There's been no serious effort to promote responsible consumption,' he argued, cautioning that political actors may exploit the crisis. On water scarcity, al-Khazali highlighted record-low river levels—the worst since 1930 — and urged immediate support for farmers in southern Iraq, calling for compensation and long-term solutions to prevent rural economic collapse.
Iraq Business
11 hours ago
- Iraq Business
KRG to Eliminate 7,000 Private Generators by 2026
By John Lee. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has said that its Runaki (Light) project is making significant progress toward delivering 24-hour electricity to the entire Kurdistan Region by the end of 2026. One of the initiative's key milestones is the planned decommissioning of approximately 7,000 private diesel generators, which have long been a major source of environmental pollution. So far, 1,260 generators have been shut down, including 1,092 in Erbil, 79 in Slemani, and 89 in Duhok, representing 17 percent of the total. The shutdown is projected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 240,000 tonnes per year, the equivalent of removing 250,000 vehicles from circulation. Upon full implementation by 2026, the project will eliminate 1.4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, a 4-percent reduction in the Region's overall carbon footprint. Full statement from the KRG: Runaki Project to Shut Down 7,000 Private Generators Across the Kurdistan Region The Runaki (Light) Project is a national initiative by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), aimed at providing 24-hour electricity across the entire Kurdistan Region by the end of 2026. One of the project's most significant achievements is the shutdown of approximately 7,000 private diesel generators throughout the region. These generators were a major source of environmental pollution in the Kurdistan Region. Key data from this phase of the Runaki Project are outlined below: A total of 1,260 private generators have been decommissioned across the region: 1,092 in Erbil, 79 in Slemani, and 89 in Duhok. This figure represents 17% of all private generators previously operating in the Kurdistan Region. The shutdown of these generators is estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 240,000 tonnes per year-equivalent to removing approximately 250,000 vehicles from the roads. Environmental Impact of Deactivating Private Generators Under the Runaki Project by 2026: By the end of 2026, the project will have fully phased out private generators, resulting in an estimated annual reduction of 1.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. This reduction is equivalent to removing 1.3 million vehicles from the roads. The initiative will contribute to a 4% decrease in overall carbon dioxide emissions in the Kurdistan Region. Implementation Approach: The Runaki Project has established agreements with private generator owners to deactivate their generators, limiting their use to emergency backup only. As a result, over 1 million public electricity consumers now enjoy uninterrupted 24-hour electricity supply provided directly by the project. Throughout the duration of the project, private generator owners have consistently received their agreed monthly compensation. Categories of Generators Decommissioned Under the Runaki Project: Private generators serving residential areas Generators owned by individual households Generators powering commercial establishments, including hotels and restaurants Generators located in public areas, such as parks Financial Benefits: 80% of citizens now pay less than they previously did for a combination of private generator and public electricity services. In the past, low-income households spent up to 30% of their monthly income on private generator costs. Now, citizens are billed solely based on their actual electricity usage. Health and Environmental Benefits of the Runaki Project: The project reduces harmful emissions by shutting down residential private generators, significantly cutting the release of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and other toxic gases. It prevents soil and water contamination by ending the improper disposal of wastewater and used oil. It conserves approximately 1 million square metres of water annually that was previously used to cool private generators. It reduces noise pollution by removing generators that operated at noise levels 50% to 100% above acceptable standards. (Source: KRG) Tags: cg, decarbonisation, Electricity In Iraq, environment, featured, generators, Infrastructure, KRG, Kurdistan News, renewable energy, Runaki Project
Iraq Business
11 hours ago
- Iraq Business
Iraq Launches QR Code Platform to Combat Counterfeit Goods
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani reaffirmed his government's continued support for the industrial sector, the modernisation of the banking system, and tighter oversight at border crossings to block the entry of substandard goods. Speaking on Thursday at a ceremony held by the Iraqi Federation of Industries (IFI) to mark National Industry Day , the Prime Minister officially launched a national QR code platform for Iraqi industrial products. This digital initiative is intended to: Safeguard the authenticity of Iraqi goods Prevent the circulation of counterfeit products Strengthen the identity of local brands Prepare Iraqi goods for export through compliance with global supply chain standards Improve international market access Boost confidence in Iraqi manufacturing abroad Support economic growth and digitisation Accelerate digital transformation in production and retail According to a press release, the initiative reflects the government's broader strategy to revitalise local industry, improve trade standards, and align with international best practices in product verification and logistics. (Source: PMO)
