Oil Ministry Launches Major Projects to Invest Gas, End Flaring by 2029

The Ministry of Oil is currently implementing four projects to invest associated gas, with a total capacity of 1.4 billion standard cubic feet. The Ministry is also working to expand its refining capacities for petroleum derivatives, aiming to produce approximately 5 million liters of high-octane gasoline and 10 million liters of gas oil daily. Ministry Spokesperson Salim al-Rikabi stated that the Ministry is focusing on a set of vital projects intended to eliminate gas flaring by the end of 2029. He explained that these initiatives are a top priority due to their role in utilizing gas wealth, securing the country's fuel and energy needs, and reducing the environmental damage resulting from flaring operations. Among the most prominent of these projects, al-Rikabi mentioned the Artawi project with a capacity of 600 million standard cubic feet in two phases, the Bin Omar project with a capacity of 300 million standard cubic feet, in addition to the Nasiriyah project with a capacity of 200 million standard cubic feet, and the Halfaya project with a capacity of 300 million standard cubic feet, alongside other related initiatives. The Ministry is also working on utilizing free gas from the Akkaz and Mansouriya fields, as part of its efforts to develop national gas resources and increase production levels. This investment aims to support electricity generation, industrial sectors, and various other applications. In a related context concerning the refining sector, al-Rikabi affirmed the Ministry's commitment to implementing expansion and development projects to increase refining capacities and improve the quality of petroleum products, thereby ensuring the local market's needs for derivatives are met. He clarified that the Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) project in Basra is one of these key initiatives, expected to supply the market with approximately 5 million liters of high-octane gasoline and 10 million liters of gas oil. The Ministry's plans also include projects for the expansion of the Diwaniyah, Maysan, and Najaf refineries, which will enhance the refining sector's capabilities and raise the production capacities of Iraqi refineries, thus securing local market needs. He emphasized the Ministry's continuous execution of strategic projects across the oil, gas, refining, and marketing sectors. These plans aim to boost production, diversify export routes, utilize associated and free gas, and increase refining efficiency, contributing to achieving greater economic value for the national oil wealth and supporting the Iraqi economy.