Iraq to stop importing oil derivatives
The Baiji oil refinery. Photo: Reuters
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, said during a visit to Baiji city in Salah Al-Din governorate on Wednesday that Baghdad will not need to import oil derivatives after operating the Baiji oil refinery, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported.
Al-Sudani pointed out that there are many important facilities in the city, indicating that the government is working to achieve a strategic goal, which is to turn the city into a vital economic site.
The city has oil facilities, power plants, and industrial cities. Baiji represents an important link between Salah Al-Din governorate and three other governorates, namely Mosul, Kirkuk, and Anbar.
The Iraqi Prime Minister explained that the government managed to recover stolen equipment from the refinery with the help of individuals and official bodies, noting that the recovered equipment represents a large percentage of the refinery’s equipment.
Al-Sudani emphasized that the Baiji oil refinery will operate soon with an estimated capacity of 150,000 barrels of oil per day, indicating that this will help Iraq reach self-sufficiency in oil derivatives.
Last April, Al-Sudani stated that Baghdad is working to increase the production capacity of oil refineries to stop importing oil derivatives and start exporting instead to strengthen the national economy and reach the highest added value.