Hayan Abdul-Ghani, the Iraqi Deputy PM for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil stated that his country is considering resuming exporting oil through the Syrian Baniyas and Lebanese Tripoli pipelines, with the aim to diversify the export routes, Iraq News Agency reported.

This came during the minister’s meeting with his Syrian counterpart, Mohammed Bashir, where they discussed the mutual cooperation between the two countries in the fields of oil, gas, and energy.  

Abdul-Ghani highlighted that the oil export pipeline between Iraq and Syria had been operating for decades, noting the importance of revamping it to be usable again.  

Iraq achieved significant accomplishments in the fields of gas investment and oil refining and is seeking to increase export capacities, according to the minister.  

“Iraq achieved self-sufficiency in the production of gas oil and kerosene, and by the end of this year, it will achieve self-sufficiency in gasoline production and halt its imports,” Iraq News Agency reported, citing the Iraqi Minister. 

The two sides agreed to form a committee to study the status of the pipeline and its ability to recommence exporting.

The Baniyas and Tripoli pipelines are part of the historic Kirkuk–Baniyas and Kirkuk–Tripoli oil transport routes built in the 1930s to carry Iraqi crude to Mediterranean ports. The Baniyas pipeline runs from northern Iraq to the Syrian port city of Baniyas, while the Tripoli pipeline connects Iraq to the Lebanese coastal city of Tripoli. Both were major export outlets for Iraqi oil before political tensions, wars, and sanctions in the late 20th and early 21st centuries led to their shutdowns. Despite years of inactivity, they remain strategically important as potential alternative routes to bypass the Persian Gulf and diversify export options.