Erbil: The Minister of Natural Resources in the Kurdistan Regional Government, Kamal Mohammed, confirmed that the ministry will comply with any decision issued by Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi concerning the oil file.

According to Iraqi News Agency, Minister Mohammed stated that the ministry convened with the Oil and Gas Committee of the Council of Representatives and the Ministry of Oil on November 26 and 27. The ministry is now awaiting the committee’s recommendation to Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to understand the forthcoming decision, pledging full adherence to whatever is decided.

The statement also revealed that oil production in the Kurdistan Region has resumed, with all companies back in operation except for the Sarsang field, which remains inactive due to damage from several drone strikes. Currently, oil production ranges between 220,000 and 230,000 barrels per day, with a portion allocated for domestic consumption.

Minister Mohammed highlighted that the gasoline issue has been largely addressed, though he emphasized the necessity for the federal government to disburse the Kurdistan Region’s share to fully resolve the problem. He noted that the federal government estimates the cost of refining oil at 5,900 dinars, approximately $4 per barrel, while the Kurdistan Regional Government’s cost is pegged at $16 per barrel. Consequently, if Baghdad supplies oil calculated at $4 per barrel, gasoline in the region would be priced at 450 dinars.

The minister underscored the importance of increasing oil refining capacity in the Kurdistan Region, indicating that the current refining volume is only 50,000 barrels per day, whereas local demand reaches 140,000 barrels per day.