Turkish Firm Gets Nod to buy Gas from Kurdistan

Turkey’s Energy Market Regulatory Authority has given a green signal to a Turkish company to buy natural gas from Kurdistan Region of Iraq despite objections from the Iraqi central government, according to Asharq Al-Awsat.

Citing a report in the Turkish press Asharq Al-Awsat said thatthe Turkish authorities have given permission to Siyah Kalem Company to import natural gas from the Kurdistan region for 26 years. The project will be shared with three other companies: Pearl Petroleum, Austria’s OMV, and Hungary’s MOL.

Asharq Al-Awsat contacted the Ministry of Natural Resources in Kurdistan to confirm the report, but they refused to make an official comment.

This development comes amid reports of an expected visit to Turkey by Kurdistan Regional Government president Massoud Barzani the strengthening of economic relations and regional development to discuss with Turkish officials.