The Iraqi Cabinet has officially issued a statement approving the signing of preliminary cooperation documents between Basra Oil Company and the US Qatar multinational energy consortium, initiating preliminary research work for the strategic oil export pipeline project. This is a crucial step in Iraq's efforts to diversify its energy exports in recent years, aimed at breaking the potential risks of a single transportation channel.

Simultaneous comparative study of two core alternative routes

The consortium approved this time is jointly composed of Capital TI and Chevron from the United States, as well as UCC from Qatar, and will simultaneously complete feasibility studies in both technical and financial dimensions in the future.

The team focused on comparing two alternative routes. One is the route from Basra to Ceyhan, a Mediterranean port in Türkiye, via Hadisse and Kirkuk, and the other is the route from Basra to Banias, Syria, via Hadisse. Both routes can directly bypass the Strait of Hormuz, greatly expanding the choice of Iraq's crude oil export.

The preliminary agreement does not bind the final rigid obligation

The Iraqi Cabinet has clearly stated that all preliminary documents signed this time will not constitute any final financial or contractual constraints on the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, and all subsequent implementation processes will be independently evaluated before proceeding. Keywords: oil pipeline, oil export pipeline project

In addition to the feasibility study of the consortium, the Iraqi Cabinet also separately authorized Basra Oil Company to sign a special consulting service contract with American engineering company KBR for the Basra to Haditha pipeline project.

KBR has had long-term cooperation experience with Basra Oil Company on multiple oil field projects, which can provide mature engineering and technical support for the subsequent implementation of the core pipeline and accelerate the overall project progress.Editor/Cheng Liting