Iraq Pivots West: Pipelines Aim to Bypass Hormuz Chokepoint

The project centers on a massive trunk line running from Basra to Haditha, a segment already under construction by KBR. From this hub, Baghdad envisions two distinct exit points: a northern link to Ceyhan, Turkey, and a western path to Baniyas, Syria. While the Kirkuk-Baniyas line has remained largely dormant since 2003, Washington recently signaled support for its restoration as a key component of regional energy security.

This infrastructure push coincides with rising regional tensions. A drone strike targeted a vessel near the Basra Oil Terminal this Thursday, the second such incident in as many days. Despite the proximity of the threat to facilities handling over 3 million barrels per day, the Oil Ministry maintains that operations remain uninterrupted. Beyond the pipeline feasibility studies, Chevron is expanding its footprint in Iraq, negotiating agreements for the West Qurna 2 and Nassiriya fields to solidify its role in the country’s long-term export strategy.