Iraqi Kurdistan starts oil export in defiance of Baghdad

Authorities in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region say they have started exporting crude oil to Turkey despite objections from Baghdad.

The Kurdistan region’s Natural Resources Ministry said in a statement late Wednesday that the flow of oil to Turkey began in early January through a pipeline which carries the oil to the Turkish port of Ceyhan.

Kurdish authorities have also invited companies in order to take part in a January tender for the two million barrels deposited in the Turkish port.

Kurdistan’s move to export crude to international markets via Turkey has been a bone of contention between the semi-autonomous region and central government in Baghdad.

Under the Iraqi constitution, any oil contract must be approved by Baghdad and its revenues sent to the Treasury Department.

On December 9, 2013, Iraq’s Vice President Khudayr al-Khuzaie warned against any oil exports from the Kurdistan region without the central government’s consent.

Khuzaie said any crude export without Bagdad’s agreement would cause a crisis and a conflict between Kurdistan and the central government.