KRG Ministry of Natural Resources

The Kurdistan Region could hold as much as 200 tcf (5.67 tcm) of natural gas reserves, representing between 1.5% and 3% of the world's total reserves. This positions Kurdistan for a prominent role in regional gas markets.

With 200 tcf (5.67 tcm) of recoverable natural gas bordering the Eurasian energy axis, the Kurdistan Region is at an energy crossroads.

The Ministry of Natural Resources promotes an open door policy and welcomes new ideas and technologies.

Our rich and still untapped mineral resources can help diversify and bolster Iraq’s and the Kurdistan Region’s economy.

Situated at the crossroads of the Middle East and Europe, the Kurdistan Region is ideally positioned to become a significant contributor to the world's energy supply.

With 45 billion barrels of estimated oil reserves, the Kurdistan Region is poised to become a key part of Iraq’s renaissance and a major actor on world oil markets. The region intends to develop its hydrocarbons resources as per the 2005 Iraqi Constitution and maximise the benefits of this development for the Iraqi people. Since 2003, the region has attracted more than 45 companies from more than 30 countries.

The Ministry of Natural Resources of the Kurdistan Regional Government is responsible for the development of natural resources in the region.

Under the auspices of the 2005 Iraqi Constitution, the Kurdistan Parliament passed an oil and gas law in 2007 to support the development of the region’s hydrocarbons. This legal framework supports a fair and transparent investment environment and establishes production-sharing contracts that balance the risk and reward of investing in the Kurdistan Region.

We have made available to read the production sharing contracts signed with the Kurdistan Regional Government. Read them here.

Transparency and fairness have been the cornerstones of the Kurdistan Region’s investment laws and policies. The Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative was incorporated as an article in the regional oil and gas law in 2007, and helps ensure transparency and proper budgetary management of oil revenues.

We undertake our work according to the principles enshrined in the Iraqi constitution, and according to the provisions of the Kurdistan Oil and Gas Law. We have made available to read a Model Production Sharing Contract and the contracts signed with companies.

The Ministry has regulations on land compensation, to ensure that local communities are compensated when their lands are used by oil companies. Read also about the KRG's regulations on importing and exporting explosive, chemical and radioactive substances for oil and gas industry uses. 

The Kurdistan Regional Government has developed energy policies in accordance with the Iraqi constitution and the Kurdistan Oil and Gas Law. Read about our policies and the strategies we are using to achieve our goals.

Every oil and gas company active in the Kurdistan Region is encouraged to engage into

The development of local content in the Kurdistan Region is facilitated through the Regional Government’s capacity building programmes.