Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Ministry of Oil considering exporting to Syria
Oil, Syria, Jordan
(Azzaman) The Ministry of Oil is keen to diversify export outlets and is considering the possibility of reopening the pipeline via Syria. Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahrastani said both countries were “keen to reactivate the pipeline for the transfer of crude oil via Syrian territories.” But he said no agreement has been reached yet because the pipeline itself is in need of rehabilitation.
“The pipeline’s rehabilitation,” the minister said, “will need many requirements which will have to be met by both sides.” But Shahrastani said before talk of a resumption of exports via Syria or repair of the pipeline the security situation has to be dealt with first. He said the pipeline was already target of acts of sabotage inside Iraqi territory.
“It is important for the Syrian side to prevent the infiltration of saboteurs from its territories who target Iraqis and Iraq’s vital installations namely pipelines and oil projects,” Shahrastani said.
“The pipeline’s rehabilitation,” the minister said, “will need many requirements which will have to be met by both sides.” But Shahrastani said before talk of a resumption of exports via Syria or repair of the pipeline the security situation has to be dealt with first. He said the pipeline was already target of acts of sabotage inside Iraqi territory.
“It is important for the Syrian side to prevent the infiltration of saboteurs from its territories who target Iraqis and Iraq’s vital installations namely pipelines and oil projects,” Shahrastani said.
Mounting violence in western Iraq has prevented the country from resuming oil exports to Jordan. The minister said Iraq had agreed to resume exports to Jordan at preferential prices but both countries have found it almost impossible to carry out the deal. Shahristani said under the agreement the Jordanians were to ferry the crude from a point inside Iraqi territory to their refinery in Zarqa close to Amman.
But the drivers who were assigned to ship the crude through tankers could not make the trip owing to the upsurge in violence on the Iraqi side. Earlier reports had said that the Iraqi ministry, under political pressure, was no longer interested in the deal. But Shahristani said his ministry was keen to implement the deal once security conditions stabilize.
But the drivers who were assigned to ship the crude through tankers could not make the trip owing to the upsurge in violence on the Iraqi side. Earlier reports had said that the Iraqi ministry, under political pressure, was no longer interested in the deal. But Shahristani said his ministry was keen to implement the deal once security conditions stabilize.
Labels: Hussain al-Shahrastani, Jordan, Ministry of Oil, Oil Minister, Syria
