Oil Minister: Additional Fuel Imports Needed to Address Gasoline Shortage

Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair said on Sunday that importing additional shipments of gasoline is necessary to address the country’s current fuel shortage, amid rising domestic demand and difficulties securing supplies due to regional conditions.

Speaking before the Iraqi Parliament, Khudair said oil exports had increased significantly compared with the period when he assumed office. He noted that exports had stood at around 200,000 barrels per day at the time due to the consequences of the Gulf war, while current exports have exceeded 4 million barrels per day, including crude volumes transported from Kirkuk to Turkey’s Ceyhan port.

The minister said domestic production of petroleum products currently stands at around 37 million liters per day, an increase of 4 million liters. However, higher demand has created a gap between refinery output and consumption. He added that difficulties in importing gasoline under the current circumstances had contributed to the shortage, while the strategic gasoline reserve had previously stood at 350 million liters.

Khudair said at least 5 million additional liters of gasoline are needed daily to bridge the supply gap, stressing that the ministry is working to secure additional shipments during the current year through contacts with several countries, particularly amid the repercussions of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

He also stressed the importance of completing maintenance work on the FCC unit in Basra and maintaining gasoline imports, while efforts continue to attract investment companies to help overcome existing obstacles and support efforts to resolve the crisis.