Baghdad: The Iraqi Ministry of Oil said that it is implementing a broad program to develop the country's gas and energy sectors.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Ministry plans to end routine flaring of associated gas by 2030, expand renewable energy projects, and increase the oil sector's contribution to financing infrastructure projects. In a statement on Saturday, Iraqi Oil Ministry spokesman Salim Al Rikabi highlighted that strategic projects are underway to capture and utilize associated gas from oil fields. These projects involve the Basrah Gas Company, as well as initiatives in the Nasiriya and Gharraf oil fields, and the Akkas and Mansuriya gas fields, aiming to maximize gas resource utilization and meet domestic demand.

The Ministry is also adopting modern technologies in gas production and processing to support its plan to fully utilize associated gas and permanently end gas flaring in the coming years, Al Rikabi added. Furthermore, the Ministry is expanding investments in clean energy through the implementation of the Artawi solar plant, a solar energy project with a planned generation capacity of 1,000 megawatts. This initiative is part of a broader government strategy to diversify energy sources and promote sustainability.

Al Rikabi noted ongoing coordination between the Iraqi Ministry of Oil and the Ministry of Electricity to ensure stability in Iraq's energy system. He explained that crude oil requires processing before it can be used to generate electricity, making direct connections between oil fields and power generation stations impractical. Additionally, increased domestic demand for fuel during summer may necessitate temporary reductions in gas supplies to certain factories.

The spokesperson emphasized that Iraq's potential transition into a gas-exporting country hinges on the completion of ongoing investment and development projects.