Iraq and Syria Negotiate Kirkuk-Baniyas Pipeline Reconstruction

Iraq and Syria are negotiating a deal to reconstruct the Kirkuk-Baniyas oil pipeline, which transports crude from Iraqi fields in Kirkuk to the Syrian Mediterranean coast. The project involves renovating the route from Haditha, Iraq, to the port of Baniyas, Syria, with the goal of establishing two pipelines capable of moving 1.5 million to 2 million barrels per day.

Youssef Qablawi, CEO of the state-owned Syrian Petroleum Company, stated that implementation will take between 30 months and three years. He noted that engineering studies and the purchase of materials must precede construction.

The initiative follows a crisis in the Strait of Hormuz that disrupted Iraqi exports and led to significant revenue losses. By creating an alternative route to the Mediterranean, Iraq seeks to reduce its dependence on the Strait. The United States government has expressed support for the plan, viewing it as a means to diminish Iranian leverage over Hormuz traffic, and expects U.S. companies to participate in the reconstruction efforts.