Pakistani authorities approve project to build oil pipeline with participation of SOCAR - media
BAKU. June 24 (Interfax) - Construction of the Machike-Thallian-Tarujabba White Oil Pipeline, involving the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), is expected to begin soon, according to Pakistani media.
"The White Oil Pipeline project has moved closer to the practical implementation stage after receiving the necessary permits from relevant ministries and government agencies. The approval was obtained with the support of the Special Investment Promotion Council (SIFC). According to the SIFC, receiving approval from several ministries and government agencies has cleared administrative obstacles that previously delayed the project's progress," one publication reported.
The approximately 477-kilometer pipeline will run from Machike to Tarujabba via Tallian. The route will be laid primarily along highways and will connect to key oil infrastructure facilities, including the Attock Refinery, as well as the Chakpirana and Faqirabad facilities.
"The project is being implemented by Frontier Works Organization (FWO) through a specially created entity, Frontier Oil Company (FOC), in which SOCAR holds a 25% stake. The consortium also includes Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Inter-State Gas Systems (ISGS)," according to the statement.
The pipeline will create a new corridor for transporting petroleum products between the southern and northern regions of Pakistan once operational. The project is expected to improve the efficiency of fuel supplies, reduce dependence on road transport, and lower logistics costs.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan in February 2025 signed a number of documents aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in hydrocarbon supplies. Specifically, the memorandum of understanding between SOCAR, FWO, and PSO provides for collaboration on the White Oil Machike-Thallian-Tarujabba pipeline project.
Pakistani media previously reported that SOCAR might allocate $280 million for the construction of the White Oil Pipeline, a strategic pipeline for Pakistan. The total cost of the project is estimated at $431.3 million.
