Baghdad, June 7 (SANA) Iraq plans to raise crude oil export capacity via Türkiye and Syria to more than 1 million barrels per day (bpd) as part of efforts to diversify export channels and mitigate potential disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, a senior oil official said on Sunday.
Bassem Abdul Karim, General Manager of Basra Oil Company, said in a press statement the Iraqi government aims to increase export capacity through Turkish and Syrian routes to 650,000 bpd in the near term as part of a broader plan to exceed 1 million bpd in overall capacity.
He said Iraq is developing land-loading facilities in Basra and northern regions to sustain exports and offset potential supply disruptions. Exports from Kirkuk through Türkiye‘s Ceyhan port have risen to about 300,000 bpd, while overland crude shipments by tanker trucks currently stand at 150,000 bpd and could increase to 350,000 bpd.
Abdul Karim also said Basra Oil Company has begun work on a 21-kilometre, 32-inch pipeline linking the Burjesia storage facilities to Khor Al-Zubair port, with a capacity of 350,000 bpd. The project, which is expected to be completed within just over two months, aims to enhance export flexibility and provide an alternative outlet if navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted.
Iraq’s crude exports have declined sharply since maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was halted following the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war on Feb. 28. The disruption has affected government revenues needed to finance salaries and investment projects.
M.F / ABD
