Federal Iraq is running its 10 operational refineries flat out as the Ministry of Oil seeks to reduce reliance on imports of gasoline and diesel in the face of rising consumption. MEES estimates operational federal refining capacity is 576,000 b/d, with 344,000 b/d offline due to attacks from the Islamic State (IS).

But refinery throughputs averaged 591,000 b/d in April, according to the latest information submitted by the ministry to the Riyadh-based Joint Organizations Data Initiative (Jodi). This is the highest monthly level since the 600,000 b/d reported in May 2014, the month before the onset of fighting between IS and federal forces in which Iraq’s largest refinery, 310,000 b/d Baiji, was destroyed. (CONTINUED - 720 WORDS)