University of Basrah and Oil Pipelines Company Cooperate on a National Alternative Pipeline Project
As part of ongoing institutional integration and coordination between the academic and industrial sectors, a specialized committee from the University of Basrah held a consultative meeting with a technical committee from the State Company for Oil Pipelines to discuss a proposed dry gas pipeline route through the designated right-of-way areas of the university’s Karma Ali Colleges Complex, extending towards the new Najibiya gas-fired power plant.
Dr. Mohammed Farhan Ajimi, Director of the Reconstruction and Projects Department at the University of Basrah, explained that the site accommodates approximately 40,000 students, in addition to a large number of university staff. He noted that designs for several future projects had already been completed. Ajimi added that the available space at the Karma Ali Colleges Complex had remained limited since the 1970s, despite the steady increase in student enrolment and the expansion of college buildings. He also pointed out that several very old buildings needed to be decommissioned and replaced, making it essential for the university to make use of all available vacant spaces.
He further stated that, despite these challenges, the university would form a joint committee with the other party to conduct a site inspection and identify a safe, conflict-free route for the dry gas pipeline within the campus. The university would also approach the relevant authorities to remove the deteriorated existing pipeline and discontinue the flow of gas through it.
For his part, Chief Engineer Sadiq Mohammed Jawad, Deputy Director of the South Gas Department, explained that the Council of Ministers had directed the relevant ministries to provide all necessary facilities to complete this national project. The project aims to supply dry gas to the new 500-megawatt Najibiya gas-fired power plant through a new pipeline built to international specifications. The new pipeline will replace the deteriorated existing one, which has exceeded its intended service life and has become a latent safety hazard to lives and property within the Karma Ali Colleges Complex.
Regarding the engineering work, Jawad explained that the project could be implemented using one of two methods. The first would involve an above-ground route approximately one kilometre long, while the second would use Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology along a route estimated at around two kilometres. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of joint efforts to select the most suitable implementation method and determine a safe pipeline route without damaging the university’s infrastructure or facilities.
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