Bulletin Iraq Fuel Update 12 (26 May 2003)
Document Actions
Iraq - Fuel - Update
The lifting of sanctions has raised expectation that may well be difficult to meet in the short term by the Iraq Oil Ministry.
Pre conflict refinery capacities for the Refineries are:
We would expect that the refining capacity will perhaps run around 75% of these totals for the initial 7/9 months. This will increase as the plant export capabilities and maintenance schedules programme finish
The capacity of the Oil Sector Installations will be enhanced by the input of new equipment delivered under the Oil for Food programme. It is expected to move over $2b total value of equipment and services into Iraq during the period June until Dec 2003. This may assist in offsetting the immense damage inflicted on the Industry by the Looting that took place following the conflict.
The photos inserted illustrate what is left of the key water installation pressure station that were in working order when the conflict finished. The installation is used in conjunction with crude extraction operations to ensure that the pressure remains high and adequate oil is extracted under pressure. The installation is a fairly complex affair, essential to the operation, and its replacement will take several months if all equipment is available. 
