As part of its broader efforts to upgrade the refining sector and boost the output of high-quality petroleum products, Iraq has initiated trial operations for a gasoline hydrogenation and improvement project with a daily capacity of 12,000 barrels.

Adnan Hamoud, the Oil Ministry’s Undersecretary for Refining Affairs, announced the launch of the trial phase on Saturday. He noted that the project aligns with the Ministry’s strategy to enhance and expand petroleum product output.

This development was highlighted during Hamoud’s visit to the Kirkuk refinery, which is considered a vital part of Iraq’s refining infrastructure.

He also emphasized that the government’s long-term strategy involves modernizing the refining sector, increasing domestic production of oil derivatives, satisfying internal demand, and exporting any surplus.

Although Iraq continues to face rising fuel consumption and a widening gap between supply and demand—as seen last June—Oil Minister Hayan Abdul-Ghani has outlined the country’s path to achieving gasoline self-sufficiency.

Abdul-Ghani reported that Iraq’s daily gasoline consumption stands at about 28 million liters, while domestic production ranges between 21 and 22 million liters per day. However, he affirmed that Iraq is on track to become self-sufficient in gasoline by 2025.