Iraq signs pipeline deal with Syria to revive Kirkuk‑Baniyas oil route to the Mediterranean

Iraq and Syria formalized a memorandum of understanding on July 17 to refurbish the long‑dormant Kirkuk‑Baniyas crude oil pipeline, which will carry oil from Iraq’s northern fields to the Syrian port of Baniyas on the Mediterranean Sea. The agreement, signed during a U.S.–Iraq business summit in Washington, aims to increase the line’s capacity from its historic 700,000 barrels per day to an estimated 2 million barrels per day, diversifying Iraq’s export routes away from the vulnerable Strait of Hormuz.

The project is backed by a U.S.-led consortium that includes Chevron, ConocoPhillips, TI Capital and Novaterra. In parallel, Iraq’s cabinet approved related energy initiatives: the launch of talks on the Akkas natural‑gas field, a tender for an exploratory well at the Qara Tappah gas‑condensate field, and plans to bid the Integrated Qayyara oil‑development project. Together, these steps aim to boost Iraq’s oil and gas production and expand its export options through the Mediterranean corridor.