Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline Restarts After Seven-Month Shutdown
The Iraq-Türkiye pipeline has restarted operations after being offline for seven months due to earthquakes. The pipeline, with a capacity of 1.5 million barrels per day, connects Iraqi oil fields to the Mediterranean export terminal at the Turkish port of Ceyhan. The resumption is hailed as a historic achievement by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani.
The pipeline, shut down since February 6, 2023, resumed operations on September 27, 2023. Initial shipments are expected to average about 200,000 barrels per day. The agreement to restart exports is set to last until the end of the year, with further talks planned on dues owed to companies and new terms for transporting the crude.
The U.S. played a role in the agreement, strengthening its long-term durability and bringing tangible benefits for both Americans and Iraqis. It also reaffirms Iraq's sovereignty. While the resumption of oil flows through the pipeline helps ease Türkiye's energy balance and global oil supplies, it is not crucial for European energy security.
The Iraq-Türkiye pipeline's restart is a significant development in the region's energy landscape. It eases energy pressures for both Iraq and Türkiye, and its long-term durability is bolstered by U.S. involvement. However, its impact on European energy security is limited.
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