Iraq and Türkiye have signed a one-year agreement to continue operating the oil pipeline linking Iraqi fields to the Turkish port of Ceyhan, maintaining an export capacity of 750,000 barrels per day. Officials from both countries described the deal as a transitional step toward a long-term energy partnership aimed at increasing exports to 1.5 million barrels per day while expanding cooperation in oil and gas investments.
New Agreement Secures Oil Exports Through Ceyhan
Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced the signing of a one-year transit agreement between Türkiye’s BOTAS and Iraq’s state-owned oil companies, including SOMO and the Iraqi National Oil Company.
The agreement guarantees the continued use of the strategic Iraq–Türkiye crude oil pipeline, which has served as a key energy corridor between the two countries for nearly five decades.
A Strategic Energy Corridor
Bayraktar said the Ceyhan pipeline has become increasingly important amid ongoing developments in global energy markets.
He added that both governments intend to maximize the value of this infrastructure while working on a comprehensive long-term agreement that would further strengthen bilateral energy cooperation.
Iraq Aims to Double Export Capacity
Iraqi Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair described the agreement as a major step toward strengthening Iraq’s oil industry and securing reliable export routes.
He noted that the current agreement sets an export ceiling of 750,000 barrels per day, while negotiations are already underway for a new framework agreement based on the modernization of the 1973 pipeline accord.
The long-term objective is to increase export capacity to 1.5 million barrels per day.
Cooperation Beyond Pipeline Operations
Khudair emphasized that energy cooperation with Türkiye extends beyond transporting crude oil.
The two countries are also discussing investments in Iraqi oil fields and broader strategic partnerships involving upstream exploration, production, refining, and downstream energy industries.
He added that these initiatives align with Iraq’s broader strategy of strengthening economic and development cooperation with Türkiye following the Iraqi prime minister’s recent visit to Ankara.
Strengthening Regional Energy Security
The agreement comes as global oil markets continue to experience heightened volatility, increasing the strategic importance of the Ceyhan export route.
Both governments believe maintaining uninterrupted exports through the pipeline will enhance regional and international energy security while supporting stable supplies to global markets.
Toward a Long-Term Strategic Partnership
Officials from both countries said the current agreement represents the foundation for a broader long-term partnership.
Future negotiations are expected to update the legal framework governing pipeline cooperation and create new opportunities for joint investment across the energy sector.
Conclusion
The new Iraq–Türkiye agreement ensures the continued operation of the Ceyhan oil pipeline while laying the groundwork for a broader strategic partnership in energy. Although the current deal maintains exports at 750,000 barrels per day, both sides are already working toward a long-term framework that could double export capacity to 1.5 million barrels per day, reinforcing Iraq’s position in global energy markets and deepening bilateral economic ties.
