Mr Jihad said that the ministry has already reached an agreement with a contractor for the project, although he did not name the company. He also said Iraq and Syria have plans to re-open the long-closed Kirkuk-Banias oil pipeline. Akkas, a giant gasfield, is one of eight oil- and gasfields that Iraq opened to foreign companies to bid for contracts in a first round of bidding last year. Iraq, with the world's third-largest oil reserves, is seeking new export routes. It ships most of its oil from the south of the country through the Gulf, and smaller amounts from the north through Turkey. Improved diplomatic ties could allow pipelines through Syria to the Mediterranean that would provide an alternative route for oil and gas from northern Iraq to reach Europe.