Baghdad: Iraq and Syria have taken a significant step towards enhancing their energy sector cooperation by forming a committee dedicated to studying the rehabilitation of an oil pipeline and the resumption of exports. Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil, Hayan Abdul-Ghani Al-Sawad, engaged in discussions with Syrian Energy Minister, Mohammed Bashir, focusing on cooperation in the fields of oil, gas, and energy.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Sawad emphasized the historical ties between the two nations and the significance of maintaining these relations for the benefit of both countries’ national interests. He highlighted Iraq’s aim to diversify its crude oil export outlets amidst increasing production capacity, stressing the importance of renewing or rehabilitating the previously active oil export pipeline between Iraq and Syria.

Al-Sawad detailed Iraq’s achievements in gas investment and oil refining, and its efforts to boost export capacity from southern ports. Additionally, Iraq is exploring options to resume exports through the Turkish pipeline via the port of Ceyhan and is considering export proposals via the Syrian Baniyas pipeline and the Lebanese Tripoli pipeline. He also discussed the Basra-Haditha pipeline project, which aims to secure export quantities and supply crude oil to Iraqi refineries.

The statement noted that both countries, with the leadership of their respective Ministries, discussed the current status of the Iraq-Syria pipeline. They agreed to form a joint committee to assess the pipeline’s condition and the feasibility of resuming exports. An international consultant may be involved to evaluate the pipeline’s operational suitability and feasibility for rehabilitation.

Syrian Energy Minister Bashir expressed gratitude for the discussions, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation to revive Syria’s oil industry. He stressed the need for collaboration on the Syrian-Iraqi pipeline, affected by sabotage and age, and the urgency for its rehabilitation.

The discussions, led by Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs, also covered investment and water resource management. In attendance were the Chairman of the National Investment Commission, Haidar Muhammad Makiya, and the Minister of Water Resources, Aoun Diab, who emphasized adherence to water agreements concerning the Euphrates River.