21 July, 2026 15:42:17 IST 
The governments of Iraq and Syria have signed a government-to-government memorandum of understanding, alongside separate heads of agreement with Doha-based UCC Concessions, US energy major Chevron, and US-based TI Capital, to advance a cross-border crude oil pipeline linking the two countries.
The framework, signed at the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, is intended to establish a new energy export corridor connecting Iraqi crude production to delivery infrastructure on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. The signing was attended by Mr. Ali al-Zaidi, Prime Minister of Iraq, along with Syrian government representatives.
The agreements set out a coordinated approach to assess, develop, finance and implement an onshore pipeline corridor between Iraqi crude supply and Syrian export facilities, drawing on UCC’s concession-development track record, Chevron’s global infrastructure delivery experience, and TI Capital’s regional investment history. The framework also provides for structured engagement with Iraqi and Syrian ministries, state companies, regulators and technical authorities.
The project builds on the historic Iraq-Syria oil link and is positioned as an alternative to existing Gulf export routes, aimed at adding resilience to regional energy flows. It is expected to be developed to international technical, environmental, health and safety, security and financing standards.
A bilateral government working group will coordinate cross-border matters and prepare a definitive intergovernmental framework, while the investor consortium works in parallel on feasibility, bankability and a preliminary financing plan. The final route, investment structure, timetable and commercial terms remain subject to technical studies, government approvals and definitive agreements.
