Iraq to increase oil output in Kirkuk

Iraqi security forces deploy armoured vehicles after taking control of Altun Kopru village of Kirkuk, Iraq on 20 October 2017 [Ali Mukarrem Garip/Anadolu Agency]

Iraq plans to increase production from oilfields in the northern city of Kirkuk to one million barrels per day, Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar Al-Luaibi announced yesterday.

“The ministry is planning to increase production of Kirkuk’s oilfields to reach one million barrels per day,” Al-Luaibi told reporters during his visit to Kirkuk, stressing that the government is “keen to develop facilities and oilfields across the province.”

He added that he has ordered the technical and engineering teams of the state-run North Oil Company to accelerate the process of restoring operations in the Bai Hasan and Avana fields as well as digging new fields in the province.

Oil production and exports from Kirkuk’s oilfields have been on hold since the Iraqi forces regained control of Kirkuk’s oilfields from the Kurds last month.

Kirkuk’s oil reserves are estimated at 13 billion barrels, 12 per cent of Iraq’s total oil reserves, according to official data.

Read: Iraq strikes back in lightening Kirkuk offensive

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