Baghdad-INA
Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair confirmed on Saturday that the ministry's priorities during the next phase are to increase production capacities, end the issue of flared gas, and develop the infrastructure of the oil sector, he pointed out that the current circumstances are difficult as a result of the war in the region and what it caused in terms of the closure of the southern export outlet, he indicated that Iraq exported only 10 million barrels through Hormuz during last April because of the war.
At a press conference marking his assumption of duties at the Ministry of Oil, attended by a correspondent from the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Khudair stated that "the government's vision and strategy focuses on the presence of all foreign companies in Iraq to participate in increasing production capacity, training technical and engineering personnel, and building the best infrastructure for the oil sectors."
He added that "Iraq possesses all the elements to reach a level of leadership in the field of energy, due to its large oil reserves," noting that "the government seeks to transform all governorates into oil-producing governorates to improve their economic situation."
He pointed out that “the Ministry of Oil, in all its departments, will work to implement its oil plans, with a focus on integrity and transparency in dealings with companies according to the highest standards,” stressing that “the ministry will not be lenient in the corruption file, and there will be no place for unqualified individuals.”
He explained that "the Ministry will also work to implement the government's plans to generate revenue by activating the oil sector, finding solutions to all problems, and improving performance levels."
He added, "Iraq used to export 93 million barrels per month through the Strait of Hormuz, but last April we exported only 10 million barrels due to the war."