Kurdistan renew its rejection for Kirkuks’ oil investment agreement

The agreement, which was concluded by the two sides in early of last September allows major British company - which currently runs Rumaila field, the largest oil field in Iraq - to negotiate for access to huge reserves in the north in exchange to help Baghdad to stop the sharp decline of oil production from Kirkuk field.

At the end of August, BP reports said that it will work on the side , controlled by Baghdad to the border with Kurdistan , while Carr Group will work on the development of the Kurdish - controlled part of Kurdistan government .

At the time, BP spokesman said the company is satisfied with the agreement.

However, the Ministry of Natural Resources in Kurdistan government said that Kurdistan had not been consulted so far on this matter, so it considers “the alleged agreement as unconstitutional, so it is legally unjustified ."

The ministry said in an official statement published in Kurdistan government , briefed by “Shafaq News” that "the agreement is contrary to the foundations of Article ( 140 ), that remained without the application despite the passage of six years of its term stipulated in the Iraqi Constitution “.

"From the practical side , KRG opposes this agreement , as it will not facilitate or assist in any action or ensure the security guard of oil fields in Kirkuk until Kurdistan Regional Government participates as an equal partner under the Constitution ,” the statement added.

The Iraqi constitution provides for the settlement of the dispute over those areas through a roadmap that was due to be completed to implement it at the end of 2007 , as the federal government accuses Kurdistan of not being serious in the application of the constitutional text .

Kurdistan Region has shown in January 2013, its total rejection of the plan announced by Baghdad to contract with BP to invest Kirkuk fields , stressing that it will require the approval of the region as Kirkuk fields is of conflict areas.