Iraqi Kurdistan oil exploration – Turkey joined Exxon

For carrying out oil exploration in the Kurdistan region, a Turkish firm has got into partnership with Kurdistan Regional Government and Exxon Mobil. Prime minister of Turkey is hopeful that this project of cooperation will take the relationship between Turkey and northern Iraq’s Kurdistan one step further. No doubt, this will strengthen the relationship between the two.
It has to be noted that oil export was the heart of dispute between this northern Iraqi region, which is also known as semi-autonomous region and Arab-led central government of Baghdad. The dispute is a long saga of opinion tussle between the two regions.
Texas based global oil company, Exxon was the first to make contract with Kurdistan regional government for oil exploration in this region. However, Baghdad governing body identified this as the unconstitutional and illegal means of oil production by the KRG. In fact, the company, Exxon Mobil has been warned numerous times by the Baghdad central forces. However, the warning and rage of Baghdad was not able to leave strong impact as following Exxon, Russia’s Gazprom Neft also joined in the oil exploration projects of Kurdistan.
Tayyip Erdogan, the honorable PM of Turkey revealed that the agreement has already signed between Turkish company and KRG and Exxon. However, he said that more details on this will be revealed after his US visit.

"Our oil company already has an agreement with Exxon Mobil in place ... This is a step with the KRG on exploration work," as he said while he was ready to take flights for US from Ankara airport. On this Thursday, Erdogan will meet Barack Obama, the US president.
Till now, the resource hungry Turkey was helping Kurdistan as the export gateway and transportation outlet. With this move, Turkey will directly come into Iraqi Kurdistan’s oil production, which will hopefully benefit the two regions equally.

Baghdad says it alone has the authority to control exports from Iraq and that deals between oil companies and the KRG are illegal. On the other hand, leaders of the autonomous Kurdistan stated that it is their right to control the resources of the region. And, the confliction between the two goes on.
Turkish Petroleum International Company (TPIC), an arm of state-run Turkish Petroleum (TPAO). Washington is worrying about the divisions between Baghdad and Kurdistan. The disputes rose after the year of 2011, when US troops left the country.
Erdogan said, "We will develop our steps after this visit," – referring their plans in the northern Iraqi oilfields, without disclosing the whole contract.
It has been reported that the Turkish company will share equity stakes with Exxon and KRG. However, this news still not confirmed yet, so debates and discussions are going on. Another energy official in Ankara said any contracts would be in the form of commercial agreements signed between companies, not an agreement between governments.
It is anticipated that during his visit to USA, Turkey’s PM Erdogan will seek Obama’s help in supporting energy deals that the country will lead forward to make with the northern Iraq’s autonomous government of country.