INA–Baghdad
The Ministry of Oil announced on Thursday that the Basra-Haditha pipeline project will export 2.5 million barrels per day through three terminals. While noting that it will create 15,000 job opportunities, the ministry emphasized that the project will enable Iraq to capitalize on the increased export quotas granted by OPEC.
Ministry spokesman Sahib Bazoun told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “The land route for exporting oil via the Basra-Haditha pipeline is a complementary route to maritime transport, which is safer, faster, and less costly.” He explained that “the volume of exports via the Basra-Haditha pipeline will reach 2.5 million barrels and has many benefits, as it pumps oil to refineries located in central, southern, and northern Iraq to produce petroleum products.”
"This route will facilitate oil exports via three routes: Banias in Syria, Ceyhan in Turkey, and Aqaba in Jordan, with a capacity of up to 2.5 million barrels per day," he added, noting that the pipeline includes 56 large expansion joints.
"Work on the project began after a decision by the Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Oil in 2024," he stated, explaining that "its implementation was delayed due to a lack of funds, as $5 billion was allocated for it, of which $1.5 billion was disbursed, with the remainder to be paid in installments."
He clarified that the project employs approximately 15,000 Iraqi workers, emphasizing that "this pipeline has more domestic benefits than international ones because the tankers that transport crude oil from the southern fields will now be transported via pipeline to fill the refineries."
Additionally, it will activate the important Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, which the Ministry is working to operate at a capacity of 1.6 million barrels per day. This is not a replacement for maritime transport but rather a helpful tool in times of crisis, providing multiple export routes for oil, according to the Bazoun.
"The project is not temporary nor a replacement for maritime transport; rather, it falls within the Ministry of Oil's plan to diversify oil production sources to maximize revenues, as the Iraqi state relies on oil for more than 90 percent of its needs," he confirmed.
"This project will enable us to take advantage of the increased oil export quotas granted by OPEC on occasion," noting that "Iraq was able to export two shipments during the month of April," he added.