Iraq increases gasoline production and shifts towards exportation
Men work at the Rumaila oil refinery, near the southern Iraqi city of Basra. Photo: AP
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Minister of Oil, Hayan Abdul-Ghani, announced on Tuesday that a gradual transition from imports to exports is facilitated through increased refining capacities.
Abdul-Ghani’s remarks took place during his field visit to the Midland Refineries Company (MRC), where he announced gasoline production has been increased and improved to meet local demand, with a gradual move toward export, according to a statement cited by Shafaq News.
The Iraqi Oil Minister indicated that the refinery industry’s accomplishments, as well as the ministry’s and the firms’ successful implementation and inauguration of many significant projects, all contributed to the attainment of a qualitative increase in the country’s production.
Abdul-Ghani announced recently that the refining capacity in Iraq has increased by 360,000 barrels in one year.
The Iraqi Ministry of Oil is eager to increase the refining capacity to achieve self-sufficiency in oil derivatives and eventually transition to exporting its surplus, according to the Iraqi Oil Minister.
The Iraqi Oil Minister commended the completion of the isomerization unit for gasoline production in the South Refineries Company with a capacity of 1,300 cubic meters per day and another unit in the MRC with a capacity of 750 cubic meters per day.
According to the Iraqi official, this helps to cut the amount of gasoline imported by almost 2,000 cubic meters.