Story perspectives

Iraq Restarts Kirkuk-Ceyhan Oil Flow, Hormuz Crisis Slashes Shipments

6/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

After a March 2026 agreement with Kurdish Regional Government, Iraq’s Ministry of Oil resumed Kirkuk-Ceyhan exports at 200,000-250,000 bpd, while Hormuz crisis cut Strait of Hormuz shipments from 93 million to 10 million barrels by April 2026.
Alignment of interests among Baghdad, Erbil, Turkey and United States, and Baghdad’s centralization through the Ministry of Oil, drives northern routes.
International oil companies, Turkey, U.S. officials deem revived Kirkuk-Ceyhan route essential for stability and gas development.

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Story summary

After a March 2026 agreement with Kurdish Regional Government, Iraq’s Ministry of Oil resumed Kirkuk-Ceyhan exports at 200,000-250,000 bpd, while Hormuz crisis cut Strait of Hormuz shipments from 93 million to 10 million barrels by April 2026.
Alignment of interests among Baghdad, Erbil, Turkey and United States, and Baghdad’s centralization through the Ministry of Oil, drives northern routes.
International oil companies, Turkey, U.S. officials deem revived Kirkuk-Ceyhan route essential for stability and gas development.