A revived pipeline could redirect Kirkuk crude exports to the Mediterranean, reducing reliance on the Strait of Hormuz amid regional tensions.
Iraq and Syria aim to restore a defunct oil pipeline linking Kirkuk fields to Syria’s Mediterranean coast within three years. The project seeks to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments currently disrupted by regional conflicts.
The pipeline, running from Haditha in Iraq to Baniyas in Syria, was previously damaged but could now be renovated to handle significant crude volumes. A senior Syrian official stated the timeline for completion would not exceed three years, accelerating plans following recent export disruptions.
The move follows heightened tensions in the Hormuz region, which have constrained Iraq’s crude exports. Restoring the pipeline could provide an alternative route, potentially easing supply concerns in global oil markets.