Oil Ministry: Early in the following year, the gasoline import file will be closed

INA-  BAGHDAD

The Ministry of Oil announced a trend toward higher oil derivative production today, Friday, and announced the date on which the gasoline import file will be closed. 
 
 In a statement to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Hussein Talib, the director general of the Petroleum Products Distribution Company, stated that "the Ministry of Oil has developed a plan within a time limit to end the import process and complete the procedures of refineries."He further noted that "the self-sufficiency of oil derivatives and the end of their import is subject to the completion of projects related to national refineries."
 
In addition to ending the import of gas oil and white oil products after production in national oil refineries reached self-sufficiency, he noted that "the import of oil derivatives for gasoline product was reduced by 7 million liters after Iraq was importing 14 million liters."  
 
In order to obtain high-octane gasoline to mix with local gasoline to produce gasoline of high quality locally, Talib continued, "the remaining import only gasoline product, but after the operation of the North Refinery with a capacity of 150 thousand barrels per day, it will reduce the import of gasoline by about three million liters," adding that "raising the production capacity in this refinery will be compensated by three million liters instead of the importer."
 
The import of oil derivatives has depleted the state's finances, he continued, explaining that "the remaining import in 2024 is approximately four million liters, and the ministry is serious to finish the file of importing oil derivatives during the beginning of 2025." Normal circumstances cost the state between $4 billion and $500 million annually.