Alternative routes11 Apr 2023 08:07
Iraq's semi-official Al-Sabah newspaper:
- Following the International Court of Arbitration's decision in favor of Iraq, politicians, energy experts, and parliamentarians are considering proposals to export KRG oil through new routes.
- One proposal involves reviving the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline through Syria, which reaches the Mediterranean coast, while simultaneously seeking expedient alternatives such as exporting Kurdistan oil via southern Iraqi routes.
- A member of the Energy and Electricity Committee stated that Turkey has adhered to international arbitration law on oil exports. The court decision is binding for all parties but the resumption of oil exports has not yet been implemented.
- Iraq could find a prompt solution by transporting oil to the Baiji refinery or Kirkuk or by leveraging the strategic pipeline to transport oil southward.
- The oil exported from the Kurdistan Region and Kirkuk is accounted for in this year's budget calculations, which exacerbates the budget problem. Iraq is losing $35 million daily due to the halted export of KRG oil.