Iraq to phase out product imports as refining capacity expands

Iraq hopes to phase out imports of refined oil products in the next few years as it upgrades existing refineries and expands capacity. Iraq has a total installed refining capacity of close to 680,000 barrels per day (bpd), with the largest being the Baiji refining complex in the north with a nameplate capacity of 300,000 bpd. Basrah, Iraq’s second biggest refinery can process 140,000 bpd. The flagship Daura refinery, which was originally designed with a nameplate capacity of 110,000 bpd, has been expanded with the addition of a 70,000 bpd distillation unit, which was brought on line in January. However, Iraq is finding it difficult to raise the US$15-20 billion needed to build four new refineries, Dathar al-Khashab, director general of Iraq’s state-owned Midland Refineries Co. (MRC), said. (August 24, 2009)