In the pipeline: plans for a new pipe link between Iraq and Syria
Iraq and Syria map out new pipe
Iraq is planning to build a new pipeline to pump natural gas to Syria, part of its efforts to develop new oil and gas export routes, the Iraqi Oil Ministry Hussain al-Shahristani said today.
Shahristani met Syrian ambassador Nawaf Aboud al-Sheikh Faris in Baghdad to discuss co-operation in oil and gas between countries that have restored diplomatic ties in recent years after a decades-long freeze.
"The Iraqi oil ministry is preparing the requirements to fulfil the project of transporting gas from the Akkas field to Syria," Reuters quoted ministry spokesman Asim Jihad quoted Shahristani as saying.
He said the ministry has already reached an agreement with a company specialising in constructing gas pipelines to work on the project, although he did not name the company.
He also said Iraq and Syria have plans to re-open a long shut oil pipeline to pump Iraqi crude to the Syrian port of Banias.
Akkas, a giant natural gas field, is one of eight oil and gas fields that Iraq opened to foreign companies to bid for contracts in a first round of bidding last year.
Syria posted an ambassador to Iraq last year for the first time in decades after ties were frozen during the rule of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Iraq, with the world's third largest oil reserves, is seeking new export routes. It ships most of its oil from the south of the country through the Gulf, and smaller amounts from the north through Turkey.
Improved diplomatic ties could allow pipelines through Syria to the Mediterranean that would provide an alternative route for oil and gas from northern Iraq to reach Europe.