According to the Al Sabah newspaper, citing an Oil Ministry official, “This project comes as part of the ministry’s plan to consolidate the cooperation with the Arab countries in the oil sector, especially the neighboring countries, in a way that serves the Arab countries and enhances the Iraqi exporting abilities.”

“The multiplicity of the Iraqi oil exporting outlets comes within the future plan of the ministry to increase the volume of its exports to reach 5.3 million barrels per day by the end of this year,” added the insider.

Currently, Iraq exports oil through a northern pipeline to Ceyhan in Turkey and via its southern port of Basra.