SOMO: No Oil Delivered Yet by Kurdistan Region, Ready to Export Any Quantity

DND

Tawke Oil Field in Duhok, Kurdistan Region.

The Director General of Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organisation (SOMO) has confirmed that the Kurdistan Region has not yet delivered any of its oil to the company. He also reaffirmed that they will receive and export any amount of oil sent by the Kurdistan Region.

SOMO Director General Ali Nizar al-Shatri told the official Iraqiya News Channel: "The Kurdistan Region has not delivered any of its oil yet," stressing that the company "has completed all contractual procedures for exporting oil through the Turkish port of Ceyhan and is prepared to receive any quantities from the Region."

A recent understanding between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi federal government stipulates that the Region must deliver all oil produced from its fields to SOMO for export. As per the agreement, the daily quantity that the KRG must deliver to SOMO should be no less than 280,000 barrels, with 50,000 barrels allocated for local consumption, and the remaining 230,000—plus any increase—delivered to SOMO for export.

However, the KRG states that recent drone attacks on the Kurdistan Region’s oil fields have reduced production capacity, rendering them unable to produce the stated amounts. The KRG maintains that, aside from the daily 50,000 barrels allocated for local consumption, Iraq may take the remainder. The Iraqi government has yet to respond to this request.

Regarding oil smuggling, the Director General of SOMO explained that "Iraqi ports are secure and are managed in close coordination with security and operating authorities." He emphasised that "the leaked document circulating is real, but it is a routine procedure aimed at controlling the loading schedules of oil tankers."

A leaked document recently circulated by SOMO in the media contained a warning to the country’s National Security Service regarding suspected smuggling operations involving multiple tankers conducting unauthorised oil transfers off the coast. The organisation later dismissed claims, calling it part of a long-standing routine and criticising media outlets for misinterpreting its contents.

Speaking about daily oil exports, Shatri added, that "Iraq's daily oil exports range between 3.35 million and 3.4 million barrels, 78-80% of which go to Asian markets, while the remainder is distributed to European and American markets."



PUKMEDIA