Baghdad - INA
The Ministry of Oil announced on Saturday an increase in cooking gas supply to 6,000 tons per day and confirmed that crises are being exploited, while also indicating its need for a separate and independent budget.
Undersecretary of the Ministry, Basim Mohammed Khudair, said during a dialogue session at the "Sin for Dialogue" forum, attended by a correspondent from the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The main export outlet is the Strait of Hormuz, and full flows cannot be secured except by opening the strait."
He added, "The Ministry of Oil is treated in the budget like other ministries, but it needs a separate and independent budget, in addition to a five-year and ten-year plan for project implementation."
He continued, "The ministry exports 200,000 barrels per day via the Ceyhan pipeline," stressing that "there are needs within the export system, in addition to the postponement of some projects."
He explained that "exports of crude oil via Syria" were underway, noting that "the ministry, during the current government, completed an important project to reduce gas flaring, with more than 70% of associated gas being utilized."
He pointed out that "comprehensive contracts and projects have been signed to utilize gas at large capacities, with work commencing on developing the Akaz field," adding that "the four Kirkuk fields are among the large fields that are developing oil and gas, and they only need timely implementation of the projects."
Regarding cooking gas, Khudair explained that "before the war, the supply ranged between 4,500 and 5,000 tons per day, while currently it has reached about 6,000 tons per day," indicating that "there is exploitation of the crises."