Turkey to drill for oil in Iraq

BBC ^ | 12/12/2001 | Staff

[a_Turk]

Turkey will drill for oil in northern Iraq, a mainly Kurdish region which has been outside Baghdad's control since the Gulf War.

The head of the state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) Kenan Veziroglu said on Tuesday the 10 wells were planned in areas held by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).

Exploration work is expected to start in January in areas held by the KDP, a party led by Massoud Barzani, a close ally of Ankara.

Iraq, which runs oilfields near the town of Kirkuk just south of the Kurdish-held areas, has not made an official response to the plans.

But Baghdad has repeatedly condemned Turkey's military occupation of the Kurdish-controlled north and asked United Nations' secretary general Kofi Anan to press for a withdrawal.

Tension mounts
The news comes as speculation mounts that the US is preparing to intensify military strikes against Iraq, as part of its "war on terror", which would involve using Turkish bases that host US and British jets enforcing the no-fly zone.

Economically troubled Turkey has tried to boost ties with its embargo-hit southern neighbour which was once a major trading partner.

Approval to drill in northern Iraq was given by the UN sanctions committee in September under the "oil-for-food" program.

Similar contracts have been awarded to Russian oil firms Zarubezhneft and Tatneft.

TPAO, which produces 90% of Turkey's oil, has previously held talks with Iraqi on the exploitation and transportation of natural gas once US sanctions are lifted.

Turkish compensation
Turkey claims it has suffered losses of up to $40bn (£27.8bn) during the 10 years of UN sanctions imposed on Iraq.

In September, Turkey's BOTAS Petroleum Pipeline Corporation was awarded the largest compensation payment to date from the UN Compensation Commission for Iraq.

BOTAS had asked for $1.05bn (£730m) but only received $176.3m (£122.8m) for the shutdown of its oil pipeline from Iraq.

The UN Compensation Commission is due to announce its latest awards on Thursday.

[Shermy]

Veddy interesting indeed.

I recall a recent article where a Kurdish Turkish politician stated fears and concerns about an American attack on Iraq, but finished with a comment that if it had to be done, perhaps the Kurdish brothers would be joined to Turkey (annexed). Any link???

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Why, that area is as beautiful as Anwar. The environmentalists and Democrats will be outraged.

[a_Turk]

Hahahaaaah! You are a very funny robot!

[a_Turk]

Any link???

Couldn't tell ya.. We could use the money though... It's a good move on part of the UN.

[Mixer]

I am no General but this is the way I see it going down. The turks start drilling for oil there. Iraq gets pissed and tries to run them out. We bomb Iraq and eventually help the turks run sadaam out of business and Gulf region breathes a sigh of relief.

[Mixer]

I am no General but this is the way I see it going down. The turks start drilling for oil there. Iraq gets pissed and tries to run them out. We bomb Iraq and eventually help the turks run sadaam out of business and Gulf region breathes a sigh of relief.

[Mortimer Snavely]

This is good news indeed. Lotsa pero-bucks plus secure borders equals a chance for economic stability for the country as a whole. That'll slow down the inflation rate to a manageable level, and regular folks can start making solid financial plans. Predictability in daily affairs will replace the uncertainty that must accompany 70-plus% inflation, and I'll be able to afford to go to Bodrum and get a gulet.

[Mortimer Snavely]

"pero-bucks" = petro-bucks.

[a_Turk]

and I'll be able to afford to go to Bodrum and get a gulet

Dude, now's the time!

[Shermy]

Here's the FR thread link: HADEP : Armed PKK a Threat / People of Northern Iraq May Choose to Join Turkey (Nov. 29)

[Mortimer Snavely]

Check out these prices:

bodrumgulets.com

Of course, it'd be better to spend about six months there shopping around for one, but that's impractical right now.

[a_Turk]

Looks like the shortest one is about 60 feet! I knew a guy who built those. He's long dead. Right now, with the bad economy, you should be able to pick them up cheaper than that. Are you a "vacation for life" kinda guy? If not, why not you buy one, and I'll watch it for you while you go back to work :)

[sheik yerbouty]

I love it!

[JSteff]

"pero-bucks"

For a second there I thought we were talking about Turks drilling in mexico.