Ankara:Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, emphasized the strategic importance of extending the Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline to Basra in southern Iraq. He stated that increasing its capacity would offer a strong alternative to the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz, enhancing energy supply security.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Bayraktar’s comments came during discussions in Ankara with Iraqi Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair. The talks focused on opportunities for long-term cooperation in the energy sector, as detailed in a statement from the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

Bayraktar highlighted the importance of energy supply security due to regional developments, prompting Turkey and Iraq to work on strengthening their energy sector relations. The two countries are finalizing a roadmap for a new, comprehensive agreement following last August’s crude oil transportation contract between Turkey’s BOTAS and Iraq’s SOMO and North Oil Company.

Plans include activating joint working groups to expedite decisions on infrastructure projects related to oil, natural gas, exploration, production, oil trading, refining, petrochemicals, and electricity. Bayraktar reiterated the strategic significance of the pipeline extension and its potential as an alternative to critical maritime routes.

The Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline links northern Iraq’s Kirkuk oil fields with Turkey’s Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, spanning approximately 970 kilometers. Turkey aims for its national oil company, TPAO, to actively participate in various Iraqi oil fields and achieve the target of one million barrels of crude oil, as mentioned by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.

Additionally, both countries aim to increase trade volumes, positioning Ceyhan as a global energy hub. Bayraktar confirmed Turkey’s commitment to developing the Development Road as a strategic energy route, integrating oil, natural gas, and electricity transmission lines.

Turkey and Iraq signed a one-year agreement in early August to transport 750,000 barrels per day through the pipeline, ensuring its efficient use and enhancing global energy supply security.