Iraq Oil Ministry Launches Refinery Projects to Cut Fuel Imports

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Oil Ministry announced Tuesday a strategic development package aimed at boosting national refinery capacity to meet rising domestic fuel demand and reduce reliance on imports. Ministry spokesperson Selim Rikabi said work is underway on new refineries in Dhi Qar, Maysan, Najaf and Haditha district in Anbar province. The projects are expected to directly increase petroleum product supply to the domestic market and strengthen distribution stability. Rikabi also noted that a catalytic cracking unit in Basra is producing 4 to 5 million liters of improved gasoline daily, which has helped stabilize supply and cut the need for foreign imports. However, fuel stations across Baghdad and several other cities have seen hours-long queues since the night of Eid al-Adha, reflecting ongoing supply pressures. The Oil Ministry acknowledged last Thursday that a gasoline shortage exists, attributing it partly to regional developments and the withdrawal of a foreign company from a major southern refinery project citing security concerns.