The Iraqi State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) has officially responded to the efforts of Norwegian company DNO, declaring that no space remains for independent oil sales.

SOMO emphasized that all crude produced in the Kurdistan Region must be handed over to them and sold exclusively through SOMO to international markets.

Independent sales rejected
This stance comes after Reuters revealed in a report that DNO was attempting to sell its oil independently, outside the framework of the Baghdad–Erbil agreement. In its reply, SOMO stressed that all international companies operating in Kurdistan’s fields are bound to deliver their crude to the federal government.

Agreement renewal and export volumes
Regarding the future of the process, SOMO assured that with the start of the new year, the crude handover agreement will continue without obstacles. According to company data, Kurdistan’s oil exports currently stand at 200,000 barrels per day, which have been flowing since September through the Ceyhan port under SOMO’s supervision.

Domestic allocation and Erbil’s compliance
SOMO also noted that Iraq’s Ministry of Natural Resources has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement. Only 50,000 barrels have been excluded from the handover process, designated as an internal allocation for domestic use within the Kurdistan Region.