Iraq routes fuel oil exports through Syria

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq is turning to overland shipments through Syria to move fuel oil abroad, easing pressure on its energy system and limited export options, an oil expert told Shafaq News on Wednesday.

Asim Jihad, former spokesperson for the Oil Ministry, described the shipments as a temporary workaround rather than a lasting alternative to Iraq’s export routes, stressing that transporting fuel by tanker trucks remains costly, complex, and far less efficient than pipelines or maritime shipping.

Iraq’s export system faces multiple constraints, including limited capacity on its northern pipeline, the shutdown of some export outlets, and growing pressure on refineries as fuel oil production rises. In older facilities, fuel oil can account for more than 40% of output, compounding storage and processing challenges.

Pointing to rising logistical and financial burdens tied to road transport —which requires a large fleet of tanker trucks and adds operational complexity— Jihad warned that continued accumulation of fuel oil and delays in processing naphtha could compel some refining units to scale back or suspend operations, affecting domestic output.

According to the latest figures released by the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO), Baghdad will move 650,000 metric tons of fuel oil per month through Syria during April, May, and June, equivalent to roughly 4.85 million barrels monthly —about one day of Iraq’s crude oil production.

Earlier this week, Iraq began routing shipments through the Al-Waleed border crossing with Syria, with 101 tanker trucks heading toward the port of Baniyas carrying around 3.2 million liters. The shift comes as regional tensions fuel concerns over potential disruptions to maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Iraq to explore limited overland alternatives to maintain export flows.

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