Kirkuk Lawmaker Demands Priority Hiring for Local Residents in New Oil Expansion

Kirkuk is home to some of Iraq's oldest and largest oil fields, which have faced technical and security challenges in recent years. To address these issues, the Oil Ministry has partnered with international energy companies like BP and ConocoPhillips to rehabilitate infrastructure and increase production capacity.

Helou Qader al-Jabari, a lawmaker from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), believes that local residents should receive priority for jobs created by these development projects. He argues that it is unacceptable for communities to bear the environmental impacts and pollution associated with oil activities while employment opportunities go to workers brought in from outside the province.

The recent deal between BP, ConocoPhillips, and Iraq's Ministry of Oil is seen as a major step toward expanding production capacity at Kirkuk's oilfields. According to data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) and recent assessments by S&P Global, Iraq holds more than 145 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves.

Oil accounts for around 84% of state revenues and 95% of export earnings in Iraq. This makes the country heavily reliant on its oil industry, which has significant implications for the local economy and environment.