International proposal for a new oil pipeline from Basra to Ceyhan, Turkey
International proposal for a new oil pipeline from Basra to Ceyhan, Turkey
2026-04-19
Shafaq News – Washington
The International Energy Agency’s executive director, Fatih Birol, proposed on Sunday the construction of a new oil pipeline linking the Basra oil fields in Iraq to the Turkish “Ceyhan” terminal on the Mediterranean Sea, with the aim of reducing dependence on the Strait of Hormuz and enhancing the security of energy supplies, especially towards Europe, as he put it.
Birol told the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet that the Basra-Ceyhan pipeline project could be of great importance to Iraq, Turkey, and the security of supplies in the region, noting that the financial challenges could be overcome and that the current time is very suitable for launching such a strategic project, which requires a political agreement between Baghdad and Ankara.
The newspaper noted that “the new oil pipeline would change the balance of oil supplies in the Middle East.”
This proposal comes amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran reimposed restrictions on maritime navigation just hours after announcing its reopening, prompting some gas tankers to change their routes.
Birol pointed out that “Iraq relies heavily on the strait to export about 90% of its oil from the Basra ports, which contain reserves estimated at about 90 billion barrels.”
In the same context, Birol pointed out that “disrupting navigation in the strait represents damage that is difficult to repair,” considering that “the construction of the proposed pipeline is no longer just an economic option but a strategic necessity for Iraq, and an opportunity for Turkey and Europe to enhance energy security.”
It is noted that Turkey had already submitted a proposal to extend an oil pipeline linking the port of Ceyhan to the Kirkuk oil fields in northern Iraq and extending south, as part of a broader plan to create a huge trade corridor linking the port of Faw in Basra to Turkey, at an estimated cost of billions of dollars.
Ankara has also reached understandings with Syria and Jordan to develop railway and road networks, with the aim of creating a connected transport corridor linking the Arabian Gulf to southern Europe via Turkish territory.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, starting Saturday evening, and made its lifting conditional on the United States fully lifting the naval blockade.
It is worth noting that the US Navy began on April 13 a blockade of maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz, which represents about 20% of the world’s oil, petroleum products and liquefied natural gas supplies.
shafaq.com
