The Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR) has maintained that its demands will be implemented while awaiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s signature to resume oil exports.

APIKUR spokesman Myles Caggins told Channel8 that the decision on oil exports from the Kurdistan Region is currently with the Iraqi Prime Minister, and they are awaiting his signature.

Caggins stated that their terms and conditions have remained consistent and unchanged from before.

In a recent interview with Channel8, Caggins stated that APIKUR supports the Kurdistan Regional Government’s decision to hand over oil to Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO). “The opening of the Iraq-Turkey pipeline is more important than ever,” he added.

He also confirmed that discussions with the Iraqi government are ongoing and urged al-Sudani “to follow through with his promises.”

In its latest statement issued last month outlining proposals for oil exports, APIKUR said its main condition is ensuring that companies’ entitlements are paid and that their economic and commercial interests are protected.

Another condition from APIKUR is for the Kurdistan Regional Government to repay $1 billion owed to the companies for oil production between October 2022 and March.

APIKUR also proposed that international oil companies receive their payments in cash upon the oil’s arrival at the Turkish port of Ceyhan. Previously, APIKUR and the Iraqi Oil Ministry were in dispute, with APIKUR requesting payment upon production while the ministry sought to pay after SOMO sold the oil.

APIKUR, which consists of eight foreign oil companies, produces 60 percent of the Kurdistan Region’s oil. Following the suspension of exports, these companies now produce 250,000 barrels per day.