Overview

The fuel picture is becoming clearer. The Northern Governments appear to be coping with importation from Turkey and, on a smaller localised scale, from Iran. The key to the solution of the current fuel problem remains the delivery from the IRAQI Oil terminals and into the internal fuel distribution system.

Kirkuk and Mosul were as previously reported virtually untouched. They were reported to have stopped production when the electrical power was switched off. Estimates as to when they will return to pumping are varied, but we should expect the Northern area wells to be the first on line. Estimated production will be around 1,000,000 barrels per day.

The Southern Oil field are still on fire, but progress continues. Local workers are being recruited by Haliburton Brown and Root, and a team of International specialists are working on the resumption of supplies. The time frame is difficult to project. We were advised informally by the US Corps of Engineers, that they expect some production in 4 to 6 weeks. The ICRC reported that fuel was being delivered to the hospitals in Baghdad by the coalition. However, the fuel availability to the general public was extremely poor. The electricity was switched on in parts of Baghdad and in a small area north of Baghdad. This indicates that heavy fuel oils are being made available by the coalition.

UN & Implementing Partners.

We are talking to the NGO’s in Jordan to establish their vehicle and generator holding, where they intend to establish themselves and in what region. This information - when collated - will be passed around to the UN Agencies.

Fuel Planning Team Future Plans:

The planning team are trying to visit the coalition and ORHA to
1) establish how they intend to run “New Iraq” fuel-wise and
2) discuss the fuel plan and its time base for implementation.
From that we will produce a UN fuel plan and recommendations.

In the not too distant future we will have to address how we purchase fuels from the Coalition or new government.