The government of Jordan, Egypt and Iraq held discussions on the reviving of an oil pipeline project that would link the three countries. In 2013, Jordan and oil-exporter Iraq signed an agreement to build the oil pipeline from Basrah in Iraq to Aqaba in Jordan, passing through Jordan’s only refinery in Zarqa.

The plans for the revival of the project was disclosed by the Jordanian Foreign Minister, Ayman Al Safadi, after a meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Hassan Shoukry, and Iraqi Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein in Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday, 13^th October 2020.

The project was initially estimated at $18 billion with an initial capacity of 150,000 barrels per day and was to be completed in 2017. It was later revived this year as diplomatic relation between both countries improved, and the proposed pipeline was expanded to pass through Egypt.

The project forms part of the Iraqi’s government effort to collaborate with other countries in the middle east on projects. Iraq also has plans to import electricity from Jordan to lessen its reliance on gas supplies from Iran. Iraq is one of the top five exporting members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Excerpts from Al Safadi’s news conference in Cairo after meeting with his Egyptian and Iraqi counterparts:

“This is a vital and strategic issue that benefits the three countries positively. Ground has been covered towards activating it.”

“[the three countries are seeking for] integration, whether in the energy, construction, pharmaceuticals sectors, or in food security.”

“We will be creating the political horizon and it will be the private sector in our three countries and in the region that will start working on many of these projects.”