IEA's Fatih Birol Proposes New Iraq-Turkey Pipeline to Bypass Hormuz

Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), has proposed the construction of a new oil pipeline connecting Basra in Iraq to Ceyhan in Turkey, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal was made in an interview with the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet.

Birol described the Basra-Ceyhan pipeline as a “necessity for Iraq, an opportunity for Turkey” and emphasized that it would enhance Europe's energy security. He estimated that financing issues could be resolved and that the timing is right to promote the project.

The proposal comes amid instability in the Middle East. Iraq relies heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports. Birol stressed the need for a political agreement between Turkey and Iraq to implement the project.

Turkey has proposed extending the existing pipeline connecting Ceyhan to Kirkuk. Additionally, Turkey, Syria, and Jordan have agreed to modernize infrastructure to create a corridor to the Persian Gulf.

Ankara is emerging as an alternative solution, as the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project has slowed down due to regional instability.