Technical fault halts improved gasoline loading at key Kirkuk refinery

KIRKUK, Iraq — A technical fault at one of the main refineries supplying improved gasoline to Kirkuk and other cities forced a temporary halt to loading operations on Sunday, an official source said. The official said the fault was confined to the refinery's technical infrastructure and that production and loading activities were suspended as a precaution for safety reasons. Technical teams began work immediately to address the problem, the source added. Once maintenance and repairs are completed, the production units are expected to be safely brought back online. The official described the pause as a precautionary measure to ensure operational safety. Loading of improved gasoline is expected to resume on Monday, according to the source. After the fault is repaired and the refinery returns to full capacity, tankers will move to Kirkuk, with quantities reaching storage depots and fuel stations in sequence to restore regular distribution and meet the city's needs. No further details were immediately available on the nature of the fault or the refinery's name.