In one of the most significant strategic initiatives in Iraq’s oil export system, the country has commenced construction of its third offshore pipeline project to export crude oil from southern ports.
According to the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, the project aims to enhance the flexibility of crude oil flow and expand export capacity, strengthening Iraq’s position in global markets.
Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdul-Ghani described the project as a fundamental transformation of the country’s southern oil export system. He noted that the pipeline’s design capacity is 2.4 million barrels per day, with an operational capacity of approximately 2 million barrels per day. This will enable Iraq to better manage export operations and ensure a consistent supply of crude oil to international markets.
The pipeline is part of the Ministry of Oil’s vision to create an integrated and secure export system that will boost national revenue and improve the efficiency of southern oil infrastructure. The project features a 70-kilometer offshore pipeline—61 kilometers offshore and nine kilometers onshore—as well as two offshore platforms (VS-1 and VS-2) near the Basra and Khor al-Amaya oil terminals.
Abdul-Ghani highlighted that the new pipeline will increase Iraq’s export capacity by 2 million barrels per day, reinforcing the country’s status as a major crude oil exporter. The initiative reflects Iraq’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national export capabilities, ensure reliable seaport oil deliveries, and increase the resilience of its economy amid global market fluctuations.