Iraqi Northern Refineries Company, affiliated with the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, unveiled plans on Wednesday to increase its refining capabilities, positioning itself to rival major global players in the industry.

Atta Aliwi Hussein al-Hamdani, director of the company's project management department, disclosed to Iraqi state media that the ongoing developments aim to bolster the company's standing among the leading refining firms in the Middle East.

Construction has commenced on Refinery Unit 3 at Salahadin Refinery, adding 70,000 barrels per day to the company's refining complex. The expansion initiative encompasses Salahadin Refinery 1 and 2, which are expected to reach daily capacities of 70,000 barrels each, alongside the Northern Refinery set to operate at 150,000 barrels per day. Small refining units 2 and 3 in the Northern Refinery will contribute an additional 20,000 barrels per day each.

“These developments signify a new era for Northern Refineries Company, positioning it as a major player in the global refining landscape,” Hamdani emphasized.

Furthermore, upgrades to external refineries in Kirkuk, Baiji, Nasiriyah, and Qayyarah are expected to add a combined 204,000 barrels per day.

“The total refining capacity of Northern Refineries Company, including current and added capacities, will be 584,000 barrels per day,” al-Hamdani announced, highlighting the company's commitment to unprecedented growth in the refining sector.

Moreover, plans are underway for the construction of a Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) unit, aimed at maximizing the production of high-grade gasoline and intermediate distillates.

“We are striving to implement all plans and programs to increase refining capacities and update and develop the company's refineries, elevating them to the level of major global refining companies in Iraq and the Middle East,” al-Hamdani concluded.

Iraqi prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani launched the competitive bidding process for global companies earlier this month, targeting contracts for oil and gas exploration in Iraq's fifth supplementary and sixth licensing rounds across 12 provinces.

During the event, Sudani emphasized Iraq's crucial role in the global energy market and reaffirmed the Ministry of Oil's commitment to ending associated gas flaring within five years.

In recent developments, Iraq has taken significant steps to enhance its energy sector through strategic agreements with international companies.

On May 22, the state-owned Midland Oil Company signed an initial agreement with a consortium of the Chinese company Jereh and Petro Iraq to develop the Mansouriya gas field in Diyala province.

Earlier, on May 15, Iraq’s Prime Minister attended the contract signing ceremony for the Al-Faw Oil Refinery Project.

This contract, between the Ministry of Oil/South Refineries Company and the Chinese company China National Chemical Engineering (CNCEC), highlighted the government's commitment to increasing oil refining capacities, attracting foreign investments, and meeting domestic petroleum product demands.