Baghdad has received expressions of interest for its planned project to build a pipeline from Kirkuk to the Turkish border, according to sources.

It is not known how many companies have expressed their interest in the project.

In November last year Iraq’s Oil Ministry announced its intention to build the pipeline, saying it would replace an old and severely damaged section of pipeline.

The construction of the pipeline is intended to allow Baghdad to export large volumes of oil from Kirkuk oil fields through Turkey without having to use the existing pipeline that goes through territory controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

On 24 December the ministry followed up by giving contractors until 24 January to submit letters expressing interest in building the new pipeline.

“The deadline has closed and letters have been received expressing interest in the project,” an industry source said.

It is expected that the planned pipeline will take a minimum of two years to compete and could take longer due to security issues.

Federal Iraq used its military to seize control of Kirkuk and its oil fields from the KRG in October last year.

The military clashes between the Kurdish armed forces and the Iraqi military, as well as the Kurdish independence referendum that preceded them, have severely damaged relations between Erbil and Baghdad.

There have been no exports from Kirkuk’s biggest oil fields since the clashes as Baghdad does not have access to the pipeline that goes through KRG territory.

Some oil is currently being used in domestic oil refineries and a small quantity is being transported by truck to the south to be exported.

READ MORE: Baghdad looks to share oil revenue with KRG in 2018