Peregraf
The Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has announced that the Iraqi Court of Appeal has ruled in favor of the validity of contracts between the MNR and oil and gas companies, overturning previous decisions that had deemed them unconstitutional.
The ruling follows a series of legal challenges and appeals after an initial decision by the Karkh Court, which had aligned with the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court’s verdict against the Kurdistan Oil and Gas Law. However, the Karkh Court later reversed its earlier ruling, siding with the MNR.
Despite an appeal from the Iraqi Federal Oil Ministry, the Iraqi Court of Appeal upheld the revised decision of the Karkh Court, effectively confirming the legality of the contracts and strengthening the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) authority over its oil and gas agreements.
This decision represents a pivotal moment in the long-standing dispute between the Iraqi federal government and the KRG over control of oil and gas resources. It reaffirms the Kurdistan Region’s right to enter agreements with international energy companies, a matter that has remained a contentious issue in Iraq’s legal and political landscape.
The MNR welcomed the ruling, stating that it provides legal clarity and stability for ongoing and future investments in the region’s energy sector.
The decision could have significant implications for Iraq’s oil industry and political dynamics as the federal government and the KRG continue negotiations over resource management and revenue-sharing frameworks.