(Photo: PM Al-Sudani's media office)
Monitor
Iraq to reach 1.54 million barrels per day in refining capacity, PM says
MAYSAN — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani said Sunday that Iraq’s oil refining capacity will soon reach 1,542,000 barrels per day, as he launched the long-delayed expansion of the Maysan Refinery during a visit to the governorate.
The project, which had been suspended since 2014, will increase the refinery’s capacity from 40,000 to 110,000 barrels per day, according to the prime minister’s office.
Al-Sudani also referenced the ongoing expansion of the Baiji Refinery, which has already added 70,000 barrels per day to Iraq’s overall refining output. He said the Baiji facility is expected to be fully operational within two months.
“With its addition, Iraq’s total refining capacity will rise to 1,542,000 barrels per day,” he said.
Statement from Al-Sudani’s media office:
Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani launched today, Sunday, the construction of the Maysan Refinery Development Project, which includes expanding its refining capacity from 40,000 to 110,000 barrels per day, during his visit to the province earlier this afternoon.
Prime Minister Al-Sudani remarked that this year’s Eid will carry the spirit of ongoing work across various service and economic sectors. He emphasized that the Maysan Refinery development and expansion project had been stalled since 2014, and that the current government resumed it as part of its strategy to reactivate all stalled and delayed projects. The project will be implemented through national effort and Iraqi expertise, with a projected completion period of 6 to 8 months.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the Baiji Refinery expansion project, which has already increased Iraq’s refining capacity by 70,000 barrels per day and is expected to become fully operational within two months. Like other recent initiatives, this project was completed through national efforts and local expertise. With its addition, Iraq’s total refining capacity will rise to 1,542,000 barrels per day—an unprecedented milestone in the country’s oil industry.
The Maysan Refinery project, in its two phases, involves the establishment of a new, internationally standard unit with a capacity of 70,000 barrels per day. It also includes the construction of several auxiliary units such as hydrogenation and gasoline enhancement, an FCC unit, a diesel unit, and a kerosene unit, in addition to environmentally friendly service units. The project will secure the demand for petroleum products in Maysan and neighboring provinces.
Below are key highlights from the Prime Minister’s remarks:
🔷 Maysan, which stood firmly against dictatorship and contributed to building the new Iraq, deserves full attention and support across all sectors.
🔷 This project aligns with the government’s vision for self-sufficiency in petroleum products and aims to convert 40% of exported crude into refined petroleum products, which yield higher revenues.
🔷 We previously projected ten years to reach this goal, but with these projects, we now aim to achieve 40% conversion of crude oil exports by 2030.
🔷 With the Cabinet’s approval to resume the Maysan Refinery project, we are witnessing the emergence of a new industrial oil city, poised to launch petrochemical and fertilizer projects.
🔷 These projects will generate thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities.
🔷 Growth in these projects and programs represents true economic reform for Iraq, which continues to suffer from dependence on crude oil exports.
