Iraq plans to build gas pipeline linking south to north

An employee turns a valve at the Hammar Mushrif station inside the Zubair oil and gas field. Photo: AFP Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Oil Ministry has ordered a feasibility study to build a national liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pipeline running from the southern part of the country to the northern provinces of Nineveh and Kirkuk. The project aims to resolve domestic distribution bottlenecks, bridge a growing supply deficit, and create export capacity for surplus fuel. Deputy Oil Minister for Gas Affairs Ezzat Saber announced the plan on Tuesday following meetings with ministry officials and oil company representatives. The pipeline would deliver LPG straight to northern distribution networks in Kirkuk and Nineveh from southern production hubs. In addition to stabilizing domestic supplies, the project is intended to allow Iraq to export surplus LPG to foreign markets. The Iraqi government has not yet disclosed the precise route, estimated cost, pipeline capacity, construction schedule, or collaborating companies. Iraq produces around 4,500 tons of LPG per day compared to a domestic demand of 4,700 tons, resulting in a daily shortage of roughly 200 tons. With more motorists switching from gasoline to gas, domestic consumption has significantly increased. The number of vehicles using gas rose to 95,000 in July 2026, up from just 70,000 in March. To replace slow tanker-truck transport with direct pipeline delivery, the new line complements larger network upgrades, such as a 3,000-cubic-meter LPG depot in Najaf that started trial operations in August 2026.