Turkey Seeks to Maximize Capacity of Iraq-Turkey Oil Pipeline
Turkish Energy Minister Alp Arslan Bayrakdar confirmed on Sunday that Turkey aims to fully operationalize the oil pipeline connecting Iraq and Turkey. The pipeline has been prepared for operation for over a year, according to Bayrakdar.
"The pipeline has been ready for one and a half years, and we intend to utilize the Iraqi pipeline, particularly the 650 km stretch from Silopi to Jihan," remarked Bayrakdar, highlighting the strategic importance of this route.
He further explained, "We envision that some oil transported via this pipeline will reach the Qarq Qalaa refinery, as well as being shipped through Jihan to refineries in Turkey or directed to various global markets. Our goal is to maximize the pipeline’s operational potential."
Bayrakdar also mentioned the ambitious "development road project," which is a significant commercial initiative aimed at enhancing trade between Turkey and Iraq. This project involves constructing a pipeline that would connect to the Gulf, enabling the flow of Iraqi oil into global markets through Turkey.
In March 2023, oil exports from the Kurdistan Region to Turkey were halted following a ruling from the International Chamber of Commerce, which mandated that Ankara compensate Baghdad with $1.5 billion for unauthorized exports between 2014 and 2018.
Earlier reports indicated that a delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government had arrived in Baghdad to finalize arrangements for resuming oil exports through the Turkish Jihan pipeline.
Additionally, the Federal Oil Ministry recently called upon international oil companies affiliated with "Abekour," which has contracts with the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Ministry of Natural Resources, to attend a crucial meeting scheduled for March 4, 2025, in Baghdad.
Despite Baghdad’s confirmation regarding the appeals for export resumption, eight international oil companies operating in the Kurdistan Region announced last Friday their decision not to resume oil exports through the Turkish port of Jihan.
