Iraq Oil Ministry Blames Fuel Shortages on Supply Gap
The oil ministry in Iraq has attributed fuel shortages to a supply gap, not the country's refining and distribution model as previously rumored.
Fueling stations across the country and the Kurdistan Region have been experiencing overcrowding due to reduced supplies caused by the ongoing regional conflict and higher costs of materials needed for producing high-quality fuel.
The ministry stated that refineries are operating at full capacity, but the negative gap between production and consumption has resulted in a shortage. To address this issue, the ministry has imported shipments via seaports to offset the shortage, but logistical problems have delayed tanker arrivals and docking at Iraqi ports.
The oil ministry advised citizens to take adequate amounts of fuel and avoid overcrowding at stations, as this practice is contributing to further congestion and longer queues. The shortage has also driven up fuel prices across the Kurdistan Region despite measures implemented by the KRG to increase petroleum supplies and introduce price caps in July.