Iraq Seeks Alternative Routes As Oil Exports Plunge Amid Strait of Hormuz Closure

Iraqi crude oil exports have tumbled from 3.4 million barrels per day to between 1.5 million and 1.7 million barrels per day due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Minister of Oil Basim Khudair said Saturday that the country’s current crude oil production stands at around 2.7 million barrels per day, while exports range between 1.5 million and 1.7 million barrelsper day.

The pre-escalation figure for Iraq’s exports was almost 3.4 million barrels per day through the Strait of Hormuz, Khudair added, explaining that export volumes had declined, prompting the government to explore alternative routes and diversify crude oilexport routes.

This, Khudair said, includes the project to export oil through the Port of Aqaba and the Basra-Fishkhabur pipeline project, poised to be implemented under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) system.

The Iraqi minister affirmed that the country’s oil fields are capable of restoring previous production and export levels, underlining that his country is committed to advancing oil infrastructure, diversifying export routes and enhancing gas investment.

Notwithstanding the challenges associated with the Strait of Hormuz, he noted, Iraq had pulled off securing oil supplies for the domesticmarket.

Khudair pointed out that the government is working to provide a secure and stable environment for companies and investments in the oil sector.

He said that the Ministry of Oil is working on two parallel tracks on gas.

The first involves ending the flaring of associated gas, while the second focuses on developing gas fields, noting that 14 contracts have been referred to international companies to implement projects in this field.

Iraq’s efforts to diversify its export infrastructure are aimed at reducing its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz and strengthening the resilience of its oil sector against future disruptions.

The proposed Aqaba export route and Basra-Fishkhabur pipeline are expected to provide additional channels for moving crude to international markets and support the country’s plans to restore export volumes once conditions improve.