Iraq energy storage harness production

How has war affected Iraq's power infrastructure?

Despite the extraordinary challenges of war in recent years, Iraq has made impressive gains, nearly doubling the country’s oil production over the past decade. But the turmoil has also undermined the country’s ability to maintain and invest in its power infrastructure.

Should Iraq trade oil for Iranian gas?

According to Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani, by trading Iraqi oil for Iranian gas, Iraq would avoid power cuts in the summer while working on the deals to complete gas capture and extraction projects that would help make the country self-sufficient.

How much natural gas does Iraq produce?

About two-thirds of Iraq’s natural gas output is associated natural gas, which is a byproduct of oil production.45 Production cuts from Iraq’s oil fields in early 2020, following the OPEC+ agreement, lowered associated natural gas output as well, and natural gas output was around 260 billion cubic feet per year (Bcf/y).

How much oil does Iraq produce a day?

It also takes a detailed look at the country’s oil and gas sector, projecting that Iraq’s oil production will grow by 1.3 million barrels a day by 2030, becoming the world’s fourth-largest oil producer behind the United States, Saudi Arabia and Russia.

Why is Iraq's energy system vulnerable?

However the capacity to capture and process this gas has not kept pace. The inability to utilise its gas riches means that the country's gas deficit has grown, and Iraq now relies on imports from Iran to meet increasing demand. This has introduced a number of vulnerabilities to Iraq’s energy system.

How has Iraq's energy system changed over the years?

This has introduced a number of vulnerabilities to Iraq’s energy system. For example, payment issues last summer led to Iran cutting exports, significantly exacerbating electricity shortages in Iraq during peak seasonal demand. As oil production has soared, so has the amount of associated gas produced alongside.