Turkey to Seek Oil Around Qandil: Energy Minister

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yıldız said Turkey will search for oil around Iraq’s Qandil Mountains - the headquarters of PKK. 

Following the signing of mining protocols in Ankara’s Hacettepe University, Yıldız responded press inquiries on its effect to the resolution process with Kurds. 

“We have blocks in the outskirts of Qandil Mountains within our agreement with Iraqi government as well as Northern Iraq’s regional authorities. We will seek oil in  Hindırın and Çoman lands. I also believe that the road in there will open thanks to this. I also believe that our energy sector will have a new working field after these agreements.”

First research in 2012

In July 2012, Iraq Kurdistan Regional Authorities started to search for oil in the Qandil Mountain Area. Within the research, stone and soil samples were collected and sent to the U.K. for examination.  

The Qandil Mountains are a mountainous area of northern Iraq near the Iraq–Iran border, the Qandil Mountains’ range extends to a depth of nearly 30 kilometers inside Turkish territory. The largest portion of the mountains are located in Iraq’s city of Arbil. (NV/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.