Iraq has formally requested that Türkiye extend their current oil pipeline agreement for at least one year to buy more time for negotiations on a new long-term pact, the head of Iraq’s state-run oil marketer said.

Ali Nizar, head of the State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO), said Baghdad submitted the request to Ankara because the existing Türkiye-Iraq Crude Oil Pipeline Agreement is set to expire on July 27.

The critical export route, which connects Iraq’s northern oil fields in Kirkuk to the Turkish port of Ceyhan, remains central to regional energy dynamics.

The extension request follows a recent move by Ankara to terminate the existing pipeline agreements effective July 27, 2026.

However, Türkiye has simultaneously proposed a broader partnership, submitting a draft agreement to renew and expand energy cooperation across oil, gas, petrochemicals, and electricity.

While discussions on a new framework are ongoing, the two neighbouring countries have yet to finalize a deal, prompting Iraq’s push for a temporary extension to avoid an export disruption.The Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline serves as a vital strategic corridor for Iraqi crude, and local officials view the one-year buffer as essential for ensuring stable economic flows while diplomats iron out a replacement accord.

Despite the uncertainty shrouding the northern pipeline route, Iraq’s broader energy sector maintains steady output.

Nizar highlighted that Iraq has exported approximately 12 million barrels of crude oil from its southern ports since the beginning of June, demonstrating robust commercial activity through alternative channels.

The pipeline has faced a series of technical, financial, and political hurdles over recent years, making a comprehensive, long-term legal framework a priority for both nations. For now, Baghdad is waiting on Ankara's response to the extension request as the July deadline approaches.Turkey opposes extending its oil pipeline agreement with Iraq under its current terms."There is no point in extending ​an agreement that has been subject to arbitration," a Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said when asked by Reuters about Iraq's extension request.