Revival of Historic Oil Pipeline Between Iraq and Syria Planned

Plans for Oil Pipeline Revival

According to a report from a regional news outlet, the United States, Iraq, and Syria are gearing up to announce a revival of an oil pipeline that has been dormant for decades. This initiative aims to establish an alternative export route that lessens dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime passage that has seen rising tensions recently.

Senior officials from Iraq and the region have indicated that the agreement is likely to be revealed next week during Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's visit to Washington, where he is set to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House.

The focus of the proposed agreement is the restoration of the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, which spans approximately 500 miles (around 800 kilometers) from Iraq's northern oil center in Kirkuk to the Syrian port of Baniyas on the Mediterranean coast. Once operational, this pipeline would enable Iraq to access international markets directly via the Mediterranean, thereby reducing reliance on shipping routes through the Gulf.

Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Türkiye and special envoy for Syria and Iraq, has been spearheading negotiations in advance of Zaidi's visit. He views the pipeline as a key infrastructure project that could enhance economic collaboration while furthering US strategic interests in the Levant region.

During his trip, the Iraqi prime minister is also expected to visit Texas, which is known as the hub of the US energy sector.

The Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline was initially completed in 1952 by the Iraq Petroleum Company, with a capacity of around 300,000 barrels per day. However, operations were halted in the 1980s when Syria sided with Iran during the Iran-Iraq War. The pipeline sustained significant damage following the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and has remained largely inactive since then.

Reviving this pipeline comes at a time when there are increasing concerns regarding maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a substantial portion of global oil exports transits. Recent confrontations between the United States and Iran have disrupted shipping in the area, prompting renewed interest in alternative export routes.

As of now, there has been no official confirmation from Washington, Baghdad, or Damascus regarding the reported agreement. If finalized, this project could represent a major transformation in the regional energy landscape and alter oil export logistics throughout the Middle East, while also decreasing reliance on one of the world's most strategically important waterways.