Oil Minister: Gas Flaring to Conclude by 2028

Iraq's Oil Minister, Basim Mohammed Khdeir, announced on Saturday that the country's gas flaring issue will be completely resolved by the end of 2028, with the possibility of extending into early 2029. Khdeir affirmed that major investment projects currently underway in key gas fields, such as Mansouriya and Akkaz, alongside other fields, collectively aim to secure all of Iraq's domestic gas needs. He stressed that these efforts will lead to the complete cessation of gas imports and achieve self-sufficiency for the nation in this vital resource. The Minister clarified in his statements that these strategic projects are progressing swiftly and in parallel to ensure the desired objectives are met within the specified timelines. In another context, Khdeir revealed a strategic study being conducted by the Ministry for the establishment of an oil pipeline extending from the southern province of Basra to Kirkuk in the north, and then branching out to the Turkish port of Ceyhan. He added that the study also includes the possibility of extending another branch from this pipeline to reach the Syrian port of Baniyas. The Minister noted that these initiatives fall within the Ministry's vision aimed at diversifying Iraq's oil export outlets and avoiding sole reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. Khdeir also confirmed that the Ministry's strategic plan includes expanding the Turkish Ceyhan port, and that this direction follows discussions and the signing of a memorandum of understanding with an international consortium comprising two American companies, "Chevron" and "TE Capital," in addition to the Qatari company "UC." He pointed out that the second phase of this ambitious plan involves studying the construction of another branch of the strategic pipeline to extend to the Jordanian port of Aqaba, thereby enhancing Iraq's export flexibility and options.