For all of the vaunted efficiency of the US sanctions regime, intending to close off Iran from global pipeline developments, Iran is expected to lead the Middle East’s oil and gas new-build trunk/transmission pipeline length additions, contributing around 43% of the region’s planned and announced pipeline length additions between 2020 and 2023. 

So says GlobalData, a service company providing "unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions to companies in the world's largest industries," according to the company's website.

Adithya Rekha, an analyst at the company, notes: “a total 18 new-build pipelines are expected to start operations in Iran by 2023. Iranian Gas Trunk line – IGAT IX is the longest upcoming pipeline in the country with a length of 1863 km. It is a natural gas pipeline that is expected to start operations in 2022. National Iranian Gas Co. owns a 100% equity stake in the pipeline and will also be its operator.”

GlobalData expects Iraq to be the second-highest contributor to the region’s new-build pipeline length additions by 2023 with a length of 3775 km. Planned projects are expected to contribute approximately 3375 km, while the remaining 400 km will be from early-stage announced projects. Basra-Aqaba Gas is the longest upcoming pipeline in the country with a length of 1700 km. It is an onshore natural gas pipeline that is planned to start operations in 2023.

Following Iraq, Saudi Arabia ranks third in contribution to the new-build pipeline length additions in the region by 2023 with a length of 1824.8 km from nine upcoming pipelines. Of the total length, planned pipelines will contribute 1724.8 km while announced pipelines contribute 100 km by 2023. Haradh-Hawiyah Gas is the longest upcoming pipeline in the country with a length of 450 km. It is an onshore natural gas pipeline planned to start operations in 2021.