Iraq and Turkey have agreed to extend operations of the Iraq–Turkey Pipeline (ITP) for another year, ensuring the continued movement of Iraqi crude through Turkey’s Mediterranean export infrastructure. The agreement was signed between Turkey’s state pipeline operator, BOTAŞ, and Iraq’s State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) and North Oil Company (NOC), following the expiration of the previous arrangement that had governed crude transportation between both countries.
The extension provides stability for oil exports from northern Iraq while giving both sides additional time to negotiate a more comprehensive and long-term energy cooperation framework.
The decision comes after weeks of discussions between Baghdad and Ankara over the future of the pipeline, with both countries seeking an arrangement that addresses transportation terms, export volumes, and future utilisation of the infrastructure.
The Iraq–Turkey Pipeline: A Critical Link Between Kirkuk and Global Markets
The Iraq–Turkey Pipeline, also known as the Kirkuk–Ceyhan pipeline, is one of Iraq’s most important crude oil export routes. The pipeline connects Iraq’s northern oil fields, particularly the Kirkuk region, to Turkey’s Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, where crude can be loaded onto international markets.
The pipeline has a design capacity of approximately 1.5 million barrels per day, making it a major piece of Iraq’s export infrastructure. However, actual flows have remained far below that level due to years of political disagreements, legal disputes, and operational disruptions. Currently, the pipeline transports around 170,000 barrels per day, while the renewed agreement maintains the ability to increase flows toward approximately 750,000 barrels per day.
The pipeline has also faced a turbulent history. Exports through the route were disrupted after disputes between Iraq’s federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government over oil exports and commercial arrangements. These disagreements contributed to the pipeline’s prolonged underutilisation before efforts were made to restore operations.
Despite these challenges, the pipeline remains strategically valuable because it provides Iraq with a direct connection to the Mediterranean market and strengthens Turkey’s role as an energy transit hub.
A Temporary Extension Before a Bigger Decision
Although the one-year agreement prevents an immediate disruption, it does not resolve the larger questions surrounding the pipeline’s future.
Both Iraq and Turkey are expected to continue discussions on a broader agreement that could determine how the pipeline will operate in the coming years. Turkey has expressed interest in increasing utilisation of the pipeline and expanding its role in Iraq’s energy sector, while Iraq is focused on securing reliable export routes and maximising the value of its crude production.
For Iraq, maintaining the pipeline is essential because oil exports remain the foundation of government revenue. For Turkey, the corridor supports its ambition of becoming a major regional energy hub connecting producers in the Middle East with global markets.
The coming year will therefore be important in determining whether the Iraq–Turkey Pipeline returns closer to its original potential or continues operating below capacity.
For a pipeline that has connected two countries’ energy systems for decades, this latest extension represents more than a short-term agreement — it is a decision that could shape the future direction of one of the region’s most important oil transportation routes.
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