US to restore Kirkuk-Banias oil pipeline bypassing Hormuz Strait
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The United States announced plans to restore the Kirkuk-Banias oil pipeline, which has been idle for over 20 years, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. The project aims to reduce reliance on the chokepoint for global oil shipments. No timeline or cost estimate has been disclosed.
Pipeline Revival
The Kirkuk-Banias pipeline, connecting Iraq's Kirkuk oil fields to Syria's Banias port on the Mediterranean, has been out of service since 2003 due to war and sanctions. The US plan, reported by Inbusiness.kz, would restore a route that once carried up to 1.5 million barrels per day. The pipeline offers an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global oil passes.
Strategic Context
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf, where Iran has threatened to disrupt Hormuz shipping. The US has sought to diversify export routes for Iraqi and Kurdish oil. The pipeline's restoration would require significant investment and security guarantees in Syria, which remains fragmented after years of civil war.
What's Next
The US is expected to hold talks with Iraq and Kurdish authorities on security and funding. It remains unclear whether Syria's government will cooperate or if the pipeline can be repaired to full capacity.
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US to restore Kirkuk-Banias oil pipeline bypassing Hormuz Strait
