BAGHDAD – INA
The Ministry of Oil announced on Tuesday a strategic plan to boost liquid gas production through extracted crude oil. While noting that gas accounts for 54% of total crude oil production volumes, the ministry clarified that surplus associated gas is exported via licensing rounds to activate free gas production.
The Ministry's spokesperson, Asim Jihad, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "the Ministry of Oil's plans also entail increasing liquid gas production by boosting the volumes of extracted crude oil to maximize the extraction of associated gas." He noted that "the ministry has previously exported shipments of liquid gas during the years 2023, 2024, and 2025."
He explained that "liquid gas constitutes 54% of crude oil production volumes," pointing out that "a portion of the supplementary fifth and the sixth licensing rounds is dedicated to free gas production." He added that "there are two types of gas: the first is primary 'mother' gas, which ranges from 20% to 25%, while the second type is associated gas, which reaches up to 80%."
He indicated that "associated gas is utilized to meet domestic market demands, after which the surplus is exported," adding that "the ministry's plans aim to utilize the licensing rounds to activate non-associated free gas production."