"The export of oil from Kirkuk through the Iraqi Kurdistan oil pipeline, which transports oil to international markets through the Turkish port of Ceyhan, began on November 16. The increase in the volume of this export will take place in several stages: from 50,000 —100,000 barrels per day at the moment to 400,000 barrels upon reaching full capacity. I would like to note that prior to the suspension of the export of Kirkuk oil through the Kurdish oil pipeline in 2017, its volume was 300,000 barrels per day," Babakr said.

Kurdistan Region, in talks with the federal government of Iraq, continues to insist upon preserving rights of Russian energy giant Rosneft on oil production in the Kirkuk oil field in line with the previously reached agreements, Hoshawi Babakr told Sputnik.

"The government of Kurdistan insists on preserving the rights of Rosneft, with which in 2017 an agreement was reached on oil production in Kirkuk. According to this agreement, the Russian company received a partial right to extract, export and manage oil and gas pipelines from Kirkuk to Turkey. And Kurdistan intends to adhere to this treaty. And in the coming years, Russia should start exporting gas from Kurdistan to Turkey," Babakr said.

The statements were made after the authorities of Iraq and of Iraqi Kurdistan had agreed to resume oil exports from the Kirkuk oil field after a long suspension. The Kirkuk governorate has been hit by a number of terrorist attacks of late.

Reporter’s code: 50101