Baghdad rebuilds refning capacity

摘要

Iraq is making progress towards new refnery investments that are ultimately intended to turn the country into a net oil product exporter. And the government is reducing its import bill by restoring downstream capacity damaged in the war with Islamist group Isis. Iraq returned 70,000 b/d of capacity to service at four plants in the north last year, including the 20,000 b/d Siniya and 30,000 b/d Kisik, oil minister Jabbar al-Luaibi says. And the ministry has commenced the rehabilitation of the 70,000 b/d Salahuddin 2 unit at the 300,000 b/d Baiji complex, which sufered extensive damage in 2014-15. Work on the facility should be completed in around 6-9 months. Iraq aims to operate the refnery at 50pc of capacity by the end of this year, al-Luaibi says.