Türkiye Has Become a Partner with BP in the Fields in Kirkuk

Reception at the Presidential Complex
President Erdoğan received Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi, who was on an official visit to Türkiye, at the Presidential Complex. Following a one-on-one meeting, President Erdoğan and Iraqi Prime Minister al-Zeidi held a press conference.

Comprehensive Energy Cooperation
President Erdoğan noted that energy is a key area of cooperation between the two countries, stating, “The Iraq-Türkiye Crude Oil Pipeline Agreement expired as of yesterday. Our goal now 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, which is operated by British Petroleum. The agreement signed today marks a historic step in terms of our partnership in the energy sector.”

Ceremony at the Ministry
A signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources prior to President Erdoğan’s reception. At the ceremony, attended by Minister Bayraktar, the agreement was signed by TPAO General Manager Cem Erdem and Andrew McAuslan, BP’s Vice President of Upstream Business Development.

1 Million Barrel Target
In a statement following the ceremony, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Bayraktar said, “This is actually a project we’ve 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.”

Partnership in Kirkuk
Recalling that they have signed agreements with international companies to expand Turkish Petroleum and make it more effective in various regions around the world starting in early 2026, Minister Bayraktar said, “We have signed one of the concrete outcomes of our agreements with BP. With this agreement, Turkey has become a partner with BP in the fields in Kirkuk.”

Production Will Increase
Minister Bayraktar noted that under the agreement, Turkish Petroleum will hold a 15 percent stake, adding, “A consortium will be formed comprising ConocoPhillips, BP, and Turkish Petroleum, and this consortium will work together to develop and produce the reserves—which we estimate to be approximately 3 billion barrels—and to increase production there.”

It Will Boost the Economy

Minister Bayraktar, emphasizing that the agreement is of such importance that it will boost the country’s economy, also stated that they will undertake various projects and form various partnerships to enhance Turkish Petroleum’s effectiveness on the international stage.

Which Fields Are Included?
The project covers the Baba and Avanah domes in Kirkuk—one of Iraq’s most important hydrocarbon production regions—as well as the Bai Hassan, Jambur, and Khabbaz fields.

Holds Additional Potential
The contract area is estimated to contain over 3 billion barrels of oil equivalent in hydrocarbon reserves in the initial phase. The area is also projected to hold significant additional exploration potential.

A Major Investment
This investment, which is significant on an international scale, will not only expand TPAO’s production portfolio but also bring its technical expertise, operational experience, and ability to develop international partnerships to Kirkuk—one of the world’s leading hydrocarbon regions.

Strengthening Its Position
This step, taken in line with the vision of a fully energy-independent Türkiye, will contribute to Türkiye’s energy supply security and Iraq’s long-term energy goals, while further strengthening TPAO’s position in the global energy sector.

Meeting at the Presidential Complex
Meanwhile, Minister Bayraktar held a meeting at the Presidential Complex with Iraqi Oil Minister Basim Muhammad Hudayir and Iraqi Electricity Minister Ali Saadi Vehib, who were part of Iraqi Prime Minister al-Zeydi’s delegation.

Emphasis on Shared Commitment
In a social media post regarding the meeting, Minister Bayraktar stated, “During our meeting, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to fully utilizing the existing infrastructure of Türkiye-Iraq energy cooperation. We focused on concrete projects that will strengthen our cooperation, particularly in the areas of oil, natural gas, and electricity transmission lines. We aim to further deepen energy cooperation between our countries through joint projects that we will develop on the basis of mutual benefit.”