16-04-2025
Ministry of Oil: New Offshore Pipeline Connects 3 Strategic Export Ports
Baghdad – INA
The Ministry of Oil clarified details of the third offshore pipeline project on Wednesday, confirming that the project will enhance crude oil export capacity from the southern region, with a design capacity of 2.4 million barrels per day, by connecting three strategic ports.
Basem Abdul Karim, Director General of the Basra Oil Company, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The third offshore oil export pipeline project is one of the strategic projects to which the government has attached great importance," indicating that "the project will enhance export capacity from the south and contribute to a tangible increase.".
He added that "the project consists of a 48-knot offshore pipeline extending 61 kilometers offshore and 9 kilometers onshore." He noted that "the pipeline connects three offshore platforms: the first for valves near the Basra oil port, the second near the Khor al-Amaya port, in addition to an SPM-4 export platform." Abdul Karim explained that "the project also includes vital support projects, including the marine pipeline, which includes communications, electricity, and electrical and communications control systems.".
He explained that "a consortium of the Italian company Mycoperi and the Turkish company ESTA was selected to implement the project after a technical, commercial, and financial evaluation of four applicant companies, under the supervision of the project's accredited Japanese consultant.".
He pointed out that "the two companies submitted a comprehensive technical and commercial proposal for the construction of the pipeline and all its systems. The project was referred by the subcommittees of the Basra Oil Company, then through the Central Committee of the Ministry of Oil and the Ministerial Energy Committee, finally to the Council of Ministers, which officially approved its transfer to the Italian-Turkish consortium.".
He emphasized that "the project connects three main ports: the Basra Oil Port, the Khor al-Amaya Port, and the SPM-4 export platform, with a design capacity of approximately 2.4 million barrels per day." He concluded by saying, "The project will be implemented over a two-year period, while initial operations of the Basra section will begin within 8 to 9 months, a period included within the project's full timeframe."
