Kurdistan continue to operate its oil fields, KRG Minister

“Kurdistan will not lose control over Khurmala oil field and all oil field in the disputed areas will be managed mutually,” Acting Minister Mohammed emphasized.”

An engineer walks in the grounds of the Khurmala oilfield, 10Km south of Erbil, Kurdistan Region, July 18, 2009. (Photo: Safin Hamed/AFP)
An engineer walks in the grounds of the Khurmala oilfield, 10Km south of Erbil, Kurdistan Region, July 18, 2009. (Photo: Safin Hamed/AFP)

January 15, 2025

Erbil (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region will continue to operate its oil fields, including those in the disputed areas, per the Iraqi constitution that safeguards the region’s sovereignty over its resources, Kamal Mohammed, the Acting Minister of Natural Resources told Kurdistan24. 

“Kurdistan will not lose control over Khurmala oil field and all oil field in the disputed areas will be managed mutually,” Acting Minister Mohammed emphasized.” 

Mohammed also addressed the issue of illegal refineries, which have been a significant concern for both the environment and local communities. According to the minister, there are currently only three legal refineries operating in the Kurdistan Region, while 158 illegal refineries are present in Erbil, 50 in Dohuk, and 21 in Sulaymani.

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As part of the broader effort to strengthen regulatory oversight, the Kurdistan Region Government (KRG) plans to boost enforcement of environmental protection laws and ensure that only compliant refineries are allowed to operate.

The KRG’s crackdown on illegal refineries has significant implications for the local economy. Illegal refineries, which often operate without the necessary infrastructure or oversight, have contributed to environmental degradation and posed a challenge for local businesses.

Mohammed's comments come amid a broader context of tensions between Erbil and Baghdad over oil and natural resources. The KRG has long asserted its right to control oil production independently from the Iraqi federal government, leading to ongoing disputes over oil revenue sharing and resource management. 

The government's firm stance on managing oil resources reflects its broader strategy of maintaining economic autonomy while addressing the region's pressing environmental concerns. This approach aligns with the KRG's efforts to position Kurdistan as a stable and sustainable player in the oil sector, despite ongoing geopolitical challenges and internal disputes over resource management.