Oil pipeline attacked in eastern Turkey

ANKARA

DHA Photo

The Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline has been attacked in the eastern province of Şırnak, Turkish Energy Taner Yıldız said on July 29, as reported by Anadolu Agency.     

In a statement released by the Energy Ministry, Yıldız said the suspected sabotage bombing took place 18 kilometers inside the Cizre district of Şırnak province, next to the border with Iraq.

“Just after the explosion we closed the oil valves to stop extra oil flow. We have taken the necessary measures and the attack won’t have an effect on oil supply and demand,” he said. 

Turkey’s energy system has suffered many attacks recently, Yıldız said, adding terrorists were taking aim at Turkey’s strategic position, stability and development.

On July 28, the Turkey-Iran natural gas pipeline was targeted by an explosion in Ağrı province near the Iran border.

An Iranian official said Iran’s gas exports to Turkey would resume in three days, Iran’s English-language Press TV reported on July 28, as quoted by Reuters. 

“According to Turkish officials, the pipeline will become operational within the next three days,” state TV quoted Yadollah Baybordi, a director at the National Iranian Gas Company, as saying.     

The Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline has a maximum operational capacity of 400,000 barrels per day, but actual flows are around 300,000 barrels per day due to attacks on the pipeline, which frequently disrupt the operation, according to the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq’s reconstruction.