Iraq has resumed limited oil exports through Turkey’s Ceyhan port, pumping 250,000 barrels per day from northern fields after production was halted by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The state-owned North Oil Company confirmed operations began at the Sarlo pumping station, marking a partial restart following a “disruptive period” that challenged the sector.
The exports are flowing via the Kurdistan Region pipeline after an agreement with regional authorities. The Kurdistan natural resources ministry stated the station became operational at 6:30 a.m. GMT, enabling crude from the Kirkuk fields to reach the Mediterranean. This route bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, through which Iraq typically shipped about 3.5 million barrels per day from its southern Basra terminals before military conflict erupted on February 28.
Crude sales constitute 90 per cent of Iraq’s budget revenues, making export continuity critical for the OPEC member’s economy. The current volume is a fraction of pre-war output, reflecting both logistical hurdles and the need to negotiate pipeline access through the autonomous Kurdistan Region, which had set conditions prior to consenting.
Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz to vessels from most countries, impacting a global chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Iraq’s Oil Minister Hayan Abdel Ghani acknowledged ongoing discussions with Iran to secure passage for tankers through the waterway, underscoring the diplomatic dimension of the crisis.
The resumption via Ceyhan provides a temporary alternative, but long-term stability depends on both the security situation in Iraq and the possibility of restoring Hormuz transit. Observers note that sustained production above the current level will require continued coordination between Baghdad and Erbil, as well as a resolution to Iran’s maritime restrictions. The situation highlights Iraq’s vulnerability to regional instability and its reliance on multiple export routes to safeguard national revenue.
