03.08.2026 16:26
Turkey's partnership in the oil production fields in Kirkuk made big waves in the international media. In the world press, assessments such as "Turkey has returned to Kirkuk" drew attention, while extensive coverage was also given to the statements of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar.
Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) purchased a 15 percent stake in BP Energy Company of Kirkuk Limited (BP ECKL), becoming a partner with BP in the oil production fields in Kirkuk. Under the new agreement, the consortium consisting of TPAO, BP, and ConocoPhillips will work together to increase production at the Baba and Avanah domes in Kirkuk, as well as the Bai Hassan, Jambur, and Khabbaz fields.
"A HISTORIC STEP"
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a joint press statement following his meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi yesterday (July 28), announced the historic agreement with the words, "The Iraq-Turkey Crude Oil Pipeline agreement came to an end as of yesterday. Now our goal is to sign a comprehensive energy cooperation agreement that will benefit both sides as soon as possible. Turkish Petroleum has been granted a partnership in the Kirkuk production field, where British Petroleum operates as the operator. The agreement signed today has been a historic step in terms of our partnership in the energy field."
A signing ceremony for the agreement was held at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. At the ceremony attended by Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, the signatures were made by TPAO General Manager Cem Erdem and BP's Vice President of Upstream Business Development Andrew McAuslan.
MILLION-BARREL TARGET
Minister Bayraktar, in his statement after the ceremony, said, "This is actually a project we have been working on for a long time, and it is one of our most important steps toward making Turkish Petroleum a company that produces 1 million barrels of oil and natural gas per day. We have signed one of the concrete outcomes of our agreements with BP. With this agreement, Turkey has become a partner in the fields in Kirkuk together with BP."
WIDE COVERAGE IN WORLD PRESS
Turkey's historic agreement received wide coverage in the world press. In reports from the international media, Turkey's return to the Kirkuk fields was emphasized, while the 1 million barrel target also resonated.
"TURKEY TO OPERATE IN KIRKUK"
In the report by the British news agency Reuters, regarding the agreement, it was stated, "Turkey's state-owned oil and gas company TPAO will operate in the Kirkuk oil field used by BP."
MILLION-BARREL GOAL
The US-based news agency Associated Press (AP) covered the story with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statement mentioning Turkey's goal of achieving 1 million barrels per day.
The report noted that Turkey had become a partner in the oil production fields in Kirkuk.
"TURKEY RETURNS TO KIRKUK"
In the report sent to subscribers by the French news agency AFP, Turkey's return to operations in the Kirkuk fields was emphasized, and Minister Bayraktar's statements were given extensive coverage.