Iraqi parliamentary committee highlights challenges of moving Dora Refinery out of Baghdad

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s parliamentary oil committee said on Wednesday that relocating the Dora Refinery outside Baghdad poses immense challenges due to costs which could exceed $4 billion. The refinery, described as outdated and environmentally unfriendly, remains a critical fuel supplier.

Baha Al-Nouri, a member of the parliamentary oil committee, told state owned newspaper Al-Sabah that Iraqi refineries, both state-owned and private, have seen significant environmental upgrades in recent years.

“The Ministry of Oil has launched a comprehensive plan to align refineries with environmental safety standards, particularly in reducing gas emissions. However, pollution isn’t solely caused by refineries but also by oil extraction processes and the release of radioactive gases,” Al-Nouri explained.

He added that while ongoing upgrades, including installing exhaust filters, have improved the Dora Refinery’s performance, it still falls short of newer facilities like the Karbala Refinery. Moving the refinery remains logistically and financially challenging, with costs potentially exceeding $4 billion along with a risk of equipment damage during transportation.

Dhiya Al-Hindi, a member of Iraqi parliament, in a statement to 964media, expressed skepticism about the refinery’s relocation in the near term, warning of a potential fuel crisis if such a move were rushed.

“Most factories in Baghdad are not environmentally friendly, and this contributes to high pollution levels,” Al-Hindi said. “While refineries should eventually be moved out of urban centers to reduce pollution, relocating the Dora Refinery now isn’t feasible. There are no alternative fuel supply lines in place, and a comprehensive study is required to ensure sustainable solutions before taking such drastic measures.”

On Sept. 22, 2024, Mohammed Al-Rubaie, Director of Media and Public Relations at Baghdad Municipality, revealed a proposal to relocate the Dora Refinery to Jurf Al-Sakhar as part of a broader initiative to move industrial sites out of the capital.

“By 2030, Baghdad will no longer host refineries or power plants. Specific areas, such as Bataween and Abu Seifin, will be repurposed into ‘downtown’ districts, and urban expansion will focus on horizontal growth,” Al-Rubaie stated.

Earlier this month, the Baghdad Committee for Reducing Environmental Pollution issued mandatory directives for the immediate shutdown of unlicensed metal smelting plants, brick and asphalt factories, and illegal landfill sites, warning of legal action against violators.

This comes amid worsening air pollution in Baghdad, with a strong sulfuric odor raising health concerns, particularly in the southern district of Dora, where nearly 200 residents were hospitalized due to breathing difficulties. On Oct. 16, 2024, Baghdad Operations Command announced the closure of 30 illegal metal smelting sites in the eastern districts, citing severe health and environmental risks, bringing the total number of shuttered smelting sites to 106 since the end of October.