Iraq will pass sanctions against Turkish companies for signing petroleum deals with the government of Kurdistan without approval, Iraqi Petroleum Minister Asim Jihad said on Thursday, Trend reports.
The Energy Minister of the Kurdish Autonomy, Ashti Hervani, earlier made announcements about increasing gas production and gas exports possibly starting in 18 months. Turkey was considered the primary importer.
Iraq and the Kurdish Autonomy experienced tensions in October 2011, when Exxon Mobil (USA) receive permission from Kurdistan to explore and extract oil. Northern Iraq, where the Kurdish Autonomy is located, has about 45 billion barrels of oil reserves.
