U.S. government officials said on the 14th Iraq and Syria plan to restore a
long‑abandoned oil pipeline to move crude from northern Iraqi fields to a Syrian
Mediterranean port, creating an export route that would bypass the Strait of
Hormuz. The pipeline, built in 1952 from Kirkuk to Banyas, is about 800 km long
and has a nominal capacity of roughly 300,000 bpd. It was severely damaged
during the Iran–Iraq War and the Iraq War and has been out of use; pumps and
power systems need extensive repair, with restoration likely to take two to
three years. U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria and Iraq
Barak has held talks with Iraqi, Syrian and U.S. company representatives about
reviving the link.
