As a roadmap is prepared for a new agreement to expand energy cooperation between Türkiye and Iraq, Energy Minister Bayraktar and Iraqi Oil Minister Hudhayir discussed the scope of joint projects.
Bayraktar said preparations for the new agreement were continuing following the crude oil transportation contract signed last August between BOTAŞ and Iraq's SOMO and NOC companies. Joint working groups are planned to be established to advance the process.
Oil and electricity projects on the agenda
The planned groups will focus on oil and natural gas infrastructure, exploration and production, oil trade, refining and petrochemicals, and electricity projects. Bayraktar said they would continue implementing concrete projects in cooperation with Iraq's new government.
Capacity target for the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline
Bayraktar said regional developments had made energy supply security more critical, adding that extending the Kirkuk-Ceyhan Pipeline to Basra and increasing its capacity could provide an alternative to the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz.
Türkiye's national oil company TPAO is expected to play an active role not only in the Kirkuk fields but also in other fields across Iraq. Bayraktar listed achieving the target, expressed by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi, of supplying 1 million barrels of crude oil per day and increasing trade volume among the objectives.
Strategic energy plan for Ceyhan and the Development Road
Türkiye aims to transform Ceyhan into a global energy hub. Bayraktar said the goal was to build the Development Road not merely as a transport corridor, but as a strategic energy route supported by oil, natural gas and electricity transmission lines along its route.
