In an effort to diversify its oil export channels amidst growing regional challenges, Iraq has dispatched a high-level delegation to Damascus to explore the possibility of repairing and operating the oil pipeline linking the two countries.
This visit, coordinated under the direction of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, is part of Iraq’s broader strategy to strengthen regional ties and reinstate an essential oil export route as a key component of its economic agenda.
The delegation is led by Hamid Al-Shatri, the chief of the National Intelligence Service, and includes officials from the Border Ports Authority as well as representatives from the Ministries of Trade, Oil, and Interior. The discussions focus not only on enhancing cooperation in areas like counterterrorism and border security but also on the potential resumption of oil flows through the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, a critical link between Iraq and the Mediterranean.
The Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, established in 1952, spans 800 kilometers and can pump up to 300,000 barrels of oil daily. However, its operations have been disrupted by regional instability over the years. With Iraq’s oil exports through the Turkish port of Ceyhan suspended for two years, reviving this pipeline has become a strategic priority for Baghdad, offering a vital route to the Mediterranean.
Despite its importance, the pipeline faces numerous challenges, including extensive damage to its infrastructure from the Syrian conflict and an estimated restoration cost of over $8 billion. Nevertheless, Iraq is eager to overcome these hurdles to secure a safer and more reliable export path for its oil.
