Iraq’s Oil Ministry has announced the start of a 40-kilometer gas pipeline project in Basra, designed to supply fuel to power plants as part of the country’s efforts to diversify its energy sources.
Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani inspected the project during a visit to Khor Al-Zubair port, where construction is underway on a dry gas pipeline critical for power generation, according to a ministry statement. The pipeline, developed by the state-owned Oil Projects Company (SCOP), stretches from Khor Al-Zubair to the Shatt al-Arab regulator and features a 42-inch diameter. The ministry confirmed that the project is progressing on schedule and meeting all engineering and technical standards.
This initiative comes after the expiration of a U.S. sanctions waiver on March 8, which had permitted Iraq to import Iranian gas for electricity generation. With the waiver no longer in place, Iraq is intensifying efforts to secure alternative energy supplies.
Ali Shaddad, a spokesperson for the parliamentary Oil and Gas Committee, told Shafaq News Agency that Iraq’s reliance on gas-fired power plants, especially outside Basra, has exposed the energy sector to vulnerabilities. However, Basra’s power stations are uniquely capable of operating on multiple fuels, including crude oil, ensuring greater stability for the national grid.
Shaddad highlighted that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani is personally monitoring the pipeline project, which began approximately a month ago and is expected to be completed within 120 days. Construction has already surpassed 30% completion, with the pipeline projected to transport up to 200 million standard cubic feet per day (Mcf/d) of gas from the Gulf region.
Source: Shafaq News
