The Iraqi Ministry of Oil announced on Monday plans to harness 70 million cubic feet of associated gas from the Bazargan oil field, aiming to boost the country’s electricity production by an additional 250 megawatts. This initiative is part of Iraq’s broader strategy to reduce dependence on imported energy and improve national energy security.
Izzat Saber, the Undersecretary for Gas Affairs, called on companies involved to expedite the process, emphasising the urgent need to leverage associated gas for power generation. “Utilizing this gas not only helps us economically but is also an environmental imperative,” Saber stated in a ministry press release.
The move comes amid ongoing efforts by the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity to increase the total electricity output. This past March, the ministry reported a significant ramp-up, with production targets set to reach 27,000 megawatts this summer, up by 3,000 megawatts from the previous year.
Despite substantial gas reserves, Iraq has historically relied heavily on gas imports from Iran to meet its energy demands. However, U.S. sanctions against Tehran have complicated these transactions, propelling Iraq to seek alternative solutions.
The reliance on Iranian gas, coupled with infrastructural challenges, has led to widespread power shortages across Iraq, particularly acute during peak summer months when temperatures soar above 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). Daily outages lasting up to 10 hours are common, exacerbating the discomfort caused by the extreme heat.
In a related development, Ziyad Ali Fadel, the Iraqi Minister of Electricity, announced in mid-March a partnership with Siemens Energy aimed at converting flared gas into usable fuel. According to Fadel, Siemens Energy will process 120 million cubic feet of flared gas initially, with plans to double this capacity within a year.
“This agreement marks a pivotal step in our commitment to ending gas flaring and redirecting it to power our homes and industries,” Fadel explained. The gas will be used to power a new 2000-megawatt facility, significantly bolstering the national grid.
The initiatives represent critical components of Iraq’s strategy to achieve energy independence and sustainability, leveraging both natural resources and technological partnerships to build a resilient power infrastructure.
