Iraq plans to announce in July prequalified companies to build the country's first oil export pipeline in decades via Jordan, a senior Iraqi oil official said that Wednesday June 26th 2013.

Ms Nihad Mousa, a director general at the Iraqi oil ministry, said that Japanese, Russian, Chinese and South Korean consortia have submitted documentation to qualify to build the pipeline. European and other companies have also shown an interest.

She said that "A large number of international companies have submitted their documentation to qualify for the project. The project is expected to cost some USD 18 billion. We will start reviewing these documents from July 3rd and we expect to announce names of prequalified firms in a week or 10 days from that date.”

In April,IraqandJordansigned a preliminary agreement to build a 1,680 kilometer pipeline stretching from the oil hub ofBasrain southernIraqto the Jordanian Red SeaportofAqaba.

Iraqhopes the pipeline will make it less dependent on Persian Gulf export terminals, providing the country with an alternative route ifIrancloses theStrait of Hormuz.Tehranhas threatened to close the strategic waterway through which 35% of the world's shipborne oil is exported, most recently in response to international sanctions over its suspect nuclear program.

The proposed pipeline consists of 2 phases, one runs from Haditha, northwest ofBaghdad, to Aqaba and will carry 1 million barrels a day, the second from Haditha to the Syrian MediterraneanportofBanias, carrying some 1.25 million barrels a day.

Ms Mousa said that “The oil ministry has received documentation and interests from a large number of companies to build the first phase section. Once we announce the prequalified firms, we will start distributing the invitation of tender to them.”