FEATURE: Japan plant builder inks deal to construct key Iraqi oil refinery

by **GirlBye** Mon Oct 05, 2020 12:12 am

Japanese plant builder JGC Corp. has signed a 400 billion yen ($3.8 billion) agreement with an Iraqi state-run company to build a complex in one of the biggest operating refineries in Iraq as part of the country's reconstruction drive.

The project in Basra in southern Iraq will be funded through low-interest yen loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Japanese government's development aid arm. It is one of the agency's biggest ever financing projects in the Middle East.
Around 7,000 local skilled workers will be employed to build the complex to extract heavy oil to produce more valuable lighter oil, such as gasoline. Another 2,000 jobs are expected to be created to operate the refinery, which is scheduled to be completed in 2025, according to the JGC.

FEATURE: Japan plant builder inks deal to construct key Iraqi oil refinery Photo_l

Undated photo shows Basra oil refinery in southern Iraq. (Photo courtesy of Japan International Cooperation Agency)(Kyodo)

Job creation and the improvement of public services are among the largest issues raised by participants in large-scale anti-government protests that swept the capital and southern Iraq last year and earlier this year, said Akiko Yoshioka, a senior analyst specializing in contemporary Iraqi politics at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan.

"This kind of large development project will contribute to the local economy," she said.
According to a report by British multinational oil and gas company BP plc, Iraq is ranked fifth in the world for its oil reserves, at 145 billion barrels, while it produces 4.78 million barrels per day.

However, the country is heavily dependent on gasoline imports for several reasons, such as the destruction of a refinery in Baiji, the largest in Iraq, in 2014 by Islamic State militants during a battle with Iraqi government forces. Many other refineries have also stopped functioning due to aging and attacks.
Iraq's oil industry provides around 90 percent of state revenue, making it the country's key industry and one of the only sources of foreign currency.

Supplied photo shows Yutaka Yamazaki (L, front row), head of JGC Corp. and his counterpart Husam Weli of South Refineries Co. sign an agreement in a ceremony in Baghdad on Oct. 1, 2020. (Photo courtesy of Japan International Cooperation Agency)(Kyodo)

The agreement between JGC and South Refineries Co. will contribute to Iraq's aim to increase gasoline self-sufficiency. The refinery upgrading will include ramping up gasoline production from the current 30,000 barrels per day to 49,000.
"Although Iraq is a great oil-producing country, it is highly dependent on imports for petroleum products, which is an urgent matter for the country to improve the self-sufficiency rate," Yoshioka said.

Built by a Japanese company, the Basra refinery has been operating since 1979. It is designed to process 210,000 barrels per stream day, a measure of the quantity of oil products produced by a single refining unit over 24 hours of operation. But the production amount has declined due to aging.
"We recognize this as our flagship project. This will contribute to Iraq's whole economy and produce jobs for them, which will lead to the country's stability," the JICA official in charge of the project said.

Between the 1970s and 1980s, thousands of Japanese worked in Iraq, and this project will be a symbol of "Japan is back," the JICA official said.
On Thursday, Iraqi Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar Ismail also participated in the signing in Baghdad, while Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi attended a meeting regarding the project.
The Iraqi government expects that the project will bring economic benefit to Basra, where protests often occur, according to the official.

Undated photo shows Basra oil refinery in southern Iraq. (Photo courtesy of Japan International Cooperation Agency)(Kyodo)

JICA also anticipates a more stable Iraq will improve overall stability in the region, which is also essential for Japan's energy security.
"The Japanese government has managed many yen loan projects in Iraq, but Japanese companies did not always receive contracts," Yoshioka said. "Having Japanese companies directly engaged in projects that contribute to the local community is a great way to show that Japan is supporting them."

The project initially started in 2008 as part of Japan's effort to restore the country. However, it faltered as IS's influence increased. The Iraqi government declared the war with IS over in December 2017 but is still dealing with its remnants and other issues, including anti-government protests.

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/10/a1ce99ab468a-feature-japan-plant-builder-inks-deal-to-construct-key-iraqi-oil-refinery.html

by **GirlBye** Wed Oct 14, 2020 2:54 pm

An oil refinery in Iraq is set to receive reconstruction assistance from a Japan-based firm.

An oil refinery in southern Iraq will be receiving large-scale reconstruction assistance from a firm based in Japan. Japanese builder JGC Corporation held a signing ceremony with an Iraqi oil company for the project Thursday in Baghdad.

This upgrade will be in Basra and will pave way for an increase in the production of gasoline and diesel fuel. Cost of the upgrade will be about 3.7 billion dollars and will be funded mostly in yen loans.

Iraqi oil minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar Ismail expressed his thoughts as to the importance of the project to his country and the oil industry in general. Iraq is one of the world's leading oil-producing countries which relies heavily on imports.

The president of JGC, Mr. Yamazaki Yutaka, was hopeful that this project will be an opportunity to provide technological transfers and develop human resources between the two countries.

http://rebuildingiraq.net/news/view/130556-Iraq-Receives-Assistance-From-Japan-For--New-Refinery?utm_source=Rebuilding+Iraq+Free+Website+Users+-+Zapier+1&utm_campaign=715c25cf6a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_10_08_06_57_COPY_08&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9b2b6da0ec-715c25cf6a-147304277

FEATURE: Japan plant builder inks deal to construct key Iraqi oil refinery

FEATURE: Japan plant builder inks deal to construct key Iraqi oil refinery

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