Once Iraq’s largest refining complex, Baiji is seeing noticeable activity after state firm North Refineries Company (NRC) earlier this year began work to re-build the 150,000 b/d North (Shamal) CDU and associated units. Like the rest of Baiji, the North CDU, which was Baiji’s largest unit, was severely damaged by the Islamic State terrorist group when it overran the refinery in 2014 (MEES, 26 September 2014).
Now, Iraq’s Oil Minister Hayan Abdulghani has set an ambitious target for it “to begin operations” by 1Q 2024. If successful, this would bring back Baiji capacity to its original 290,000 b/d, after the 70,000 b/d Saladin 1 and 2 units were gradually re-built in 2018 and 2019 (MEES, 1 February 2019). It would also constitute a significant boost to Iraq’s overall refining capacity. (CONTINUED - 1148 WORDS)
