APIKUR Spokesperson: Gas Development Will Benefit All Iraqis
In the coming years, the opportunities for developing gas fields will expand, Caggins said, adding that this will benefit all the people of Iraq.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR) welcomed the recent gas development agreements signed between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and two major American energy firms—HKN Energy and Western Zagros—emphasizing that expanding the region’s gas sector will deliver benefits for all Iraqis.
“Iraq has a shortfall in gas and electricity,” APIKUR spokesperson Col. Myles B. Caggins III told Kurdistan24. “That’s why producing more gas in the country is good for everyone.”
The remarks followed the formal signing of two major energy agreements on Monday, in Washington, D.C., during a special event hosted at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as part of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s official visit to the United States.
Under PM Barzani’s supervision, the KRG signed deals with HKN Energy and Western Zagros for the development of key oil and gas fields in the Kurdistan Region. The combined value of the agreements exceeds $10 billion and is expected to significantly strengthen the energy sector and contribute to the Kurdistan Region’s broader economic transformation.
Energy Expansion to Accelerate in Coming Years
APIKUR stressed that these deals represent more than economic contracts—they are long-term investments in Iraq’s future.
In the coming years, the opportunities for developing gas fields will expand, Caggins said, adding that this will benefit all the people of Iraq.
He noted that finalizing such strategic agreements is a major success for the citizens of the Kurdistan Region and of Iraq as a whole.
Washington Ceremony Reflects Growing U.S.–Kurdistan Energy Ties
The participation of Prime Minister Barzani and senior officials in the signing ceremony highlights the growing significance of U.S.–Kurdistan energy cooperation. The agreements aim to address Iraq’s energy shortages while boosting regional investment, creating jobs, and diversifying sources of revenue for the KRG.
With global energy demand rising and Iraq facing persistent challenges in electricity and gas supply, the deals are seen as a breakthrough that could position the Kurdistan Region as a key player in meeting both national and international energy needs.
