Iraq’s oil minister said he’s hoping crude oil exports from the country’s northern Kurdistan region will restart in two days after a halt of almost two years following a payments dispute.

Oil prices slipped in Asia on Monday, extending losses from last week, on the prospect of a resumption of exports from Kurdistan's oilfields, while investors awaited clarity on talks to resolve Russia's war on Ukraine.

Iraq's Oil Minister confirmed on Monday that the Iraq-Turkey pipeline, designated for the resumption of the Kurdistan Region’s oil exports through Turkey's Ceyhan port, is ready to use.

Iraq has reaffirmed its commitment to the OPEC+ agreement, even as the resumption of oil exports from Kurdistan appears imminent.

The president of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region signaled the likely resumption of oil exports next month, the latest optimism that an almost two-year shutdown that cost the nation some $19 billion in lost revenue could soon be over.

Iraq reiterated on Monday its commitment to an OPEC+ agreement on production cuts and the gradual phase-out of voluntary reductions, ahead of the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region.

Oil prices slipped in early trade on Monday, extending losses from last week, on the prospect of a resumption of exports from Kurdistan's oilfields, while investors awaited clarity on talks to end Russia's war on Ukraine.