Iraq’s Ministry of Oil stated that newly developed refineries are now operating at 100% capacity, marking a major advance in the country’s refining sector and positioning Iraq among petroleum-product exporters that meet international quality standards.
Adnan Mohammed Hammoud, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil for Refining Affairs, said the move reflects government efforts to expand domestic refining and reduce reliance on imports.
Speaking to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Hammoud noted that the full operation of the refineries is being carried out in line with directives from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’a al-Sudani and under the direct supervision of Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil Hayyan Abdul Ghani.
Hammoud explained that the project aims to achieve self-sufficiency in key fuel products, including gasoline, kerosene, and gas oil, while ensuring stable local supplies for citizens. He said the initiatives included the commissioning of the Salah al-Din-3 and North-2 refineries, with a combined capacity of 140,000 barrels per day (bbl/d), as well as the operation of the Karbala refinery at full capacity.
In addition, advanced fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units have been introduced in Basra, alongside the launch of a gasoline hydrotreating plant in Kirkuk, further improving product quality.
According to Hammoud, these developments have enabled Iraq to produce high-quality refined products that comply with Euro 5 specifications, allowing the country to transition from a net consumer to an exporter of refined fuels.
In recent years, the government has pursued an ambitious upgrade and expansion program to boost refining capacity, rehabilitate facilities, helping reduce imports of gasoline and diesel. These efforts aim to reach self-sufficiency in key petroleum products and begin exporting higher-quality fuel.
He added that the hydrogenation and gasoline improvement unit at the Al-Sumoud Complex in Baiji is expected to be inaugurated in the coming days, providing another boost to national refining capacity.
