ENERGY - Turkey plays big in KRG’s energy game

ENERGY - Turkey plays big in KRG’s energy game:

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A state-backed Turkish firm was set up in the second quarter
of 2013 to explore for oil and gas in the KRG, according to
three sources familiar with the firm. AFP Photo

Turkey has quietly built up a large presence in the Kurdistan Regional Government’s oil and gas industry, teaming up with the U.S. major Exxon Mobil. A state-backed Turkish firm was also set up in the second quarter of 2013 to explore for oil and gas in the KRG, according to three sources familiar with the company.

The strategy appears to anger Baghdad, which claims sole authority to manage Iraqi oil, and runs counter to calls from Washington for Ankara to avoid backing projects that will help the Kurds gain further autonomy.

“When you have such an energy deficit and you have such a big potential on your border, you can’t let Baghdad or anything else get in the way,” said one of the sources familiar with the new state-backed company, a Turkish industry figure close to the deals in Kurdistan. “You have to find a formula and make sure this oil flows through your country.”"

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