Daijiworld Media Network – Baghdad

Baghdad, Jul 5: Iraq's Cabinet has approved the signing of preliminary agreements to study strategic oil export pipeline projects involving a consortium of US and Qatari companies, according to an official statement.

The Cabinet authorised the Basra Oil Company to sign a heads of agreement and a non-disclosure agreement with a consortium comprising US-based Capital TI, Chevron and Qatar's UCC to undertake technical and financial feasibility studies for the proposed pipeline projects.

The consortium will evaluate multiple export routes, including the Basra-Haditha-Kirkuk-Ceyhan corridor and the Basra-Haditha-Baniyas route, to determine their technical and commercial viability.

The Iraqi Cabinet clarified that the agreements are preliminary in nature and do not create any binding financial or contractual obligations for the country's Oil Ministry.

In a separate decision, the Cabinet also authorised Basra Oil Company to sign a consultancy services contract with US engineering firm KBR for the proposed Basra-Haditha oil pipeline project.

The studies are expected to help Iraq strengthen its oil export infrastructure and assess alternative routes to improve energy security and export capacity.