Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) says it has not yet received any oil from the Kurdistan Region. This comes despite an agreement between Baghdad and Erbil to restart oil deliveries.
The deal, signed on July 17, requires the Kurdistan Region to supply 230,000 barrels of oil daily to SOMO. However, drone attacks on oil fields in the north have sharply reduced production.
Still, SOMO confirmed that it stands ready to receive Kurdistan oil whenever it becomes available. The company has completed all technical and logistical steps to restart exports through Turkey’s Ceyhan port.
Currently, Iraq exports between 3.35 and 3.4 million barrels of oil per day. Around 80% of this supply goes to growing Asian markets. Less than 20% is shipped to Europe, while a small amount reaches the U.S.
In a report dated July 28, SOMO highlighted illegal activity by certain tankers leaving the ports of Umm Qasr and Khor al-Zubair. These vessels used unauthorized routes and advanced tools to hide their locations.
SOMO described the report as a routine procedure to improve export oversight. The company emphasized that all Iraqi ports are monitored under strict security coordination.
Authorities recently tracked four suspicious vessels, possibly carrying non-oil industrial cargo. SOMO clarified that it does not work with blacklisted entities and removes any vessel deemed suspicious from Iraqi waters.
Despite logistical and security challenges, SOMO maintains its readiness to receive Kurdistan oil under the terms of the deal. The company awaits actual deliveries and will act swiftly once shipments resume.
Looking ahead, Iraqi officials say they are optimistic. They believe cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil will eventually stabilize. For SOMO, the ability to receive Kurdistan oil remains a key step toward long-term energy balance.
