Kurdistan Region to debut new oil pipeline

A new oil pipeline to move crude from fields in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to Turkey is nearing completion, local media wrote on Monday.

The 35-kilometre feeder system will link the Atrush and Shaikan fields, operated by TAQA and Gulf Keystone Petroleum, respectively, with the main Kurdistan crude pipeline that moves crude to Ceyhan export hub in Turkey.

Quoting local officials, media outlets reported that the new line will be completed in May. They added that the project is expected to increase export capacity by between 75,000 and 80,000 bopd.

KAR Group was awarded the engineering, procurement and construction contract by the Atrush consortium in November 2016. The line will consist of a 17.5-kilometre section of 12-inch pipeline originating from the Atrush block boundary and running across Shaikan, followed by a 17-kilometre section of 36-inch pipe to the tie-in point.

Within the Atrush block, partners TAQA, Shamaran Petroleum and Marathon Oil are constructing a spur pipeline that will hook up with the feeder line.

Image: ShaMaran Petroleum