Karbala refinery to produce high-octane gasoline next July
An aerial view of an oil refinery on the outskirts of the Iraqi central city of Karbala on the day of its inauguration in October 2022. Photo: AFP
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq’s Petroleum Products Distribution Company of the Ministry of Oil revealed on Thursday that the Karbala refinery will start producing high-octane gasoline next July, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported.
The Karbala refinery will contribute to reducing two-thirds of the country’s imports of gasoline.
The Iraqi company indicated that the government had set a plan to reduce its imports of oil derivatives by completing refinery projects and providing sufficient storage in central and southern Iraq.
The Director of the Petroleum Products Distribution Company, Hussein Talib, stated that the available storage is sufficient for local consumption.
Talib explained that Iraqi refineries increased their production capacities, in addition to other refineries being prepared to start production soon.
The Iraqi official clarified that the government is greatly subsidizing oil derivatives.
“Gasoline, which is sold at 450 dinars, costs between 960 and 1000 dinars per liter,” Talib said.
The local need for oil derivatives is now secured, but Iraq is expected to import only five million liters per day during the summer season to meet the shortfall in fuel needed to operate power plants.