A fuel crisis hits Iraq… and an expert confirms: generators and declining production are behind the shortage.
The Iraqi capital, Baghdad, is experiencing a shortage of kerosene after a number of gas stations experienced a lack of supply, causing vehicles to queue up in front of the stations to obtain the fuel, amid confirmations that high demand and a decline in local production are behind the crisis. DailyNews Reports
Meanwhile, energy expert Assem Jihad confirmed that the shortage of kerosene is due to increased domestic demand coinciding with increased consumption of private generators during the summer, as well as a decline in production quantities in a number of oil refineries, which has led to a widening gap between production and consumption.
Jihad told Shafaq News Agency that the government provides quantities of “kerosene” free of charge to private generators as part of a program to support the supply of energy to citizens, in addition to meeting the needs of other sectors that depend on this material, which has raised the levels of demand significantly, at a time when local refineries have not been able to meet the full need due to the limited production capacity, as well as the maintenance work that some refining units are witnessing.
He added that the Ministry of Oil resorted to importing quantities of “kerosene” to compensate for the shortage and ensure the continued supply of private generators and local markets, stressing that this step comes to maintain the stability of supplies and prevent a shortage of the material, especially with the rise in electrical loads and the increased reliance on generators during the summer months.
Jihad pointed out that importing “kerosene” is a temporary measure until the production of local refineries increases and the development projects of the refining sector are completed, which will contribute to enhancing self-sufficiency and reducing the need for imports in the future.
In Anbar, the mayor of Habbaniyah district, Ali Dawood Suleiman, chaired a meeting that included the director of the Habbaniyah Oil Unit and oil derivatives transporters, in the presence of the director of economic crime, a representative of national security and a representative of the district police, to discuss mechanisms for distributing oil derivatives and regulating the work of transporters.
Salman, in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, pointed to the need to adhere to the applicable regulations and instructions, stressing the importance of ensuring the smooth distribution of “kerosene” and its arrival to all private generators according to the approved mechanisms.
He also directed the Judicial Police, National Security and the Economic Crime Directorate to intensify monitoring of the work of oil derivatives transporters and their distribution mechanisms, and to take legal action against anyone proven to be involved in monopoly or manipulation.
Last June, the Ministry of Oil announced the release of the July quota of gas oil (“kerosene”) for private generators at a rate of 45 liters per (kW), free of charge, in implementation of the directives of the Prime Minister with the aim of supporting generator owners and easing the burdens on citizens during the summer season.
The ministry stated in an official statement that the oil products distribution company will be responsible for preparing the quotas, calling on generator owners to receive them from approved outlets, and to commit to operating the generators for citizens for no less than 20 hours a day in rotation with the national electricity, according to the approved regulations.
Shafaq.com