ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq has exported around 600,000 tons of fuel oil through Syria since early April, a Syrian Petroleum Company official said, as Baghdad increasingly relies on alternative export routes amid continued disruptions to traditional Gulf shipping lanes.
Jalal Jarad, administrative director of procurement at the Syrian Petroleum Company, told Rudaw on Monday that "since the beginning of April, approximately 600,000 tons of Iraqi crude oil has reached the Syrian port of Baniyas, and the export process has commenced," adding that the exported oil is now being shipped onward to international markets.
Iraq began exporting oil through Syria on March 31 via the al-Waleed border crossing in Anbar province before loading it for export from Syrian ports.
Iraq's decision to use Syrian territory as an export corridor came after oil tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted by the US-Iran war that began in late February. Before the conflict, nearly 90 percent of Iraq's oil exports moved through southern Gulf routes.
According to Jarad, the volume of Iraqi oil entering Syria remains substantial on a daily basis.
"The amount of Iraqi crude oil arriving in Syria daily varies by day, but it is approximately between 350 to 400 tankers per day," he said.
Jarad added that the export operation is being carried out in coordination with Baghdad. "Regarding the export of crude oil, there is ongoing coordination with the Iraqi Ministry of Oil," he said.
The Syrian corridor has become increasingly strategic for Iraq's energy sector after exports were severely affected by regional conflict.
“More than 90 percent of Iraq’s economy relies on oil exports,” according to a statement by the head of the Oil Ministry’s media department in April.
Late last month, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi directed oil officials to immediately secure alternative export routes and ensure the smooth transit of tankers, Baghdad’s oil ministry reported, adding that the instructions come amid mounting supply disruptions, particularly through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Amid the maritime escalation, Iraqi oil exports dropped to 18.6 million barrels in March, generating about $1.96 billion in revenue, compared to more than 99 million barrels and $6.81 billion in February, according to figures provided by Baghdad’s oil ministry.
Before the conflict, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region were producing a combined 4.5 million barrels of oil per day, according to figures released in February. Combined production has fallen to under 1.3 million barrels per day, marking an overall decline of 3.2 million barrels per day.
Hastyar Qadir contributed to this report.
