Iraq targets end to gas flaring by mid-2029, oil minister says

BAGHDAD — Iraq aims to end gas flaring by mid-2029, Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani said Sunday, citing progress in gas investment projects and improvements in power generation capacity.

Abdul Ghani told the state-run Iraqi News Agency that “there is a shortage in the amount of invested natural gas needed by power stations, but gas investment operations are continuing and progressing clearly.”

He said that “the percentage of invested gas at the beginning of the current government’s formation did not exceed 53 percent, and it has now reached 74 percent,” adding that several recently completed projects have helped increase gas capture and channel supplies to the national grid for power generation.

The minister said additional projects expected over the next three years will further boost output. “The Total contract alone will provide about 650 million cubic feet of gas per day, in addition to the Akkas and Mansuriya projects,” he said.

He added that “14 contracts were signed with companies under the fifth supplementary and sixth licensing rounds, which will supply no less than 700 to 800 million cubic feet of gas,” expressing optimism that Iraq will achieve gas self-sufficiency.

Abdul Ghani reaffirmed “the government’s determination to stop gas flaring by mid-2029.”

He said gas produced in the Kurdistan Region is used to operate power plants there, while Iraq currently exports about 3,000 tons of liquefied gas daily through Khor Al-Zubair Port.

Gas flaring, the burning of natural gas released during oil extraction when capture facilities are unavailable, remains one of Iraq’s largest environmental challenges, wasting valuable fuel and contributing to carbon emissions.