Iraq's Ministry of Oil revealed efforts to establish a new crude export outlet via the Mediterranean Sea, including plans for a new pipeline and advanced pumping stations towards Banyas, Syria. The Ministry noted Faysh Khabur was chosen as an export
option due to an old pipeline undergoing rehabilitation for service, with volumes anticipated to reach 300,000 barrels daily. Ministry spokesperson Salim Al-Rikabi stated that oil exports via Faysh Khabur would cross Turkish territory. This follows a recent one-year temporary agreement between
Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, permitting Iraqi crude to transit through Turkey's Ceyhan port for international export. Al-Rikabi also disclosed an initial agreement with Syria during the Prime Minister's recent U.S. visit. This pact aims to
enable a modern oil pipeline from Haditha in Iraq's Anbar Governorate to Banyas on the Syrian coast. Al-Rikabi confirmed no intention exists to use the old or dilapidated Banyas export system. He stressed the plan involves "constructing an entirely new pipeline
and modern pumping stations compatible with current crude export requirements." He added the proposed design capacity for the new Banyas pipeline is one million barrels daily, though minimum export quantities for this route remain under study.
