On Thursday, the Syrian Transitional Government clarified that there have been no discussions with Iraq regarding oil imports or the potential revival of the long-unused Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline.
Ahmed Suleiman, the Director of Public Relations at Syria’s Ministry of Oil and Mineral Resources, explained in an interview with the Washington-based Energy Platform that Syria continues to secure crude oil supplies through tender announcements, ensuring the reliability of its oil sources. “There are no negotiations with Iraq or Saudi Arabia to import oil,” Suleiman confirmed.
He also addressed the status of the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, which connects Iraq’s Kirkuk oil fields to Syria’s Baniyas port. Suleiman stated that the pipeline remains inactive and is not a priority for either Iraq or Syria at the moment. The pipeline, which was inaugurated in 1952 and stretches over 800 kilometers, has a capacity of 300,000 barrels per day. However, it requires significant rehabilitation, particularly on the Syrian side, where energy infrastructure has suffered extensive damage due to the ongoing war since 2011. The pipeline had been operating sporadically before being shut down in 2010, largely due to severe damage caused by attacks from the Global Coalition in Iraq and Syria.
The statement highlights that, despite the potential importance of the pipeline for both countries, it is not currently seen as a viable project due to the substantial repairs needed and the geopolitical challenges surrounding it.