Shafaq News- Kirkuk
Trial pumping through theKirkuk-Ceyhan oil route will begin within two weeks after the state-run NorthOil Company finalized all engineering and technical work needed to restart theIraq-Turkiye pipeline, a senior company source told Shafaq News on Wednesday, pavingthe way for the resumption of stable exports.
The company has also restored thestrategic Kirkuk-Baiji-Haditha-Basra route, allowing crude from southern fieldsto reach gathering stations in Kirkuk before being pumped to the Turkish portof Ceyhan. Operating the two lines together would provide greater flexibilityin managing crude flows, strengthen Iraq's northern export capacity, andimprove the efficiency of the country's oil transport network, the sourceadded.
Earlier this month, SOMO chief AliNizar told Reuters that Iraq had formally requested a one-year extension of theagreement governing the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, which is due to expire on July27, to allow more time for negotiations on a new export arrangement. Reuters,citing a senior Turkish official, reported that Ankara opposes extending thecurrent deal under existing conditions.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi andTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently discussed exports through theKirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline and ways to boost Iraq's oil flows to European marketsthrough existing infrastructure.
