BAGHDAD, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- The Iraqi government confirmed oil production in Kurdish regions would increase following talks over oil revenues.
The Kurdish and central Iraq governments announced an end to an impasse on oil revenues. The KRG in April halted oil exports because it said Baghdad wasn't paying energy companies working in the Kurdish north.
Exports resumed in early August, however, as a "goodwill initiative" that the Kurdish government said should encourage Baghdad to make good on "all the outstanding payments due."
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Rowsch Shawayes said the Kurdish government would raise production to 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and more was expected next year as a result of recent bilateral talks, reports Bloomberg News.
The Kurdistan Regional Government announced a delegation of current and former U.S. government officials met with Kurdish business leaders in New York and Washington.
"The message from U.S. officials throughout the visit was that the United States is committed to Iraq and the Kurdistan region and that the administration follows the situation in the wider region very closely," a statement read.
Washington warned energy companies of the risks associated with working in Iraq given tensions between the KRG and Baghdad. Baghdad blacklisted some companies for landing unilateral deals with the KRG.
