Latest news with #AliShaddad
Shafaq News
29-04-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq's energy crisis: New pipeline a race against the clock
Shafaq News/ Iraq will begin commissioning a new gas pipeline from Khor Al-Zubair to Shatt al-Basra within days, aimed at offsetting reduced Iranian gas imports, the State Company for Oil Projects (SCOP) announces on Tuesday. The Head of the SCOP, Montaser Kazem, told Shafaq News that the next three days will see the project officially declared complete, after which testing and commissioning will begin, followed by the start of gas pumping operations. 'The project was completed in record time,' he said, noting that while the contractual timeline was 120 days, it was finished in under 90. Ali Shaddad, Spokesperson for the Iraqi Parliament's Committee of Oil, Gas and Natural Resources, said the pipeline will transport between 500 and 800 million standard cubic feet per day (Mscfd) of gas, running from the floating platform at Khor al-Zubair port to the connection point at Shatt al-Basra. The pipeline has a capacity of 42 inches in diameter. Shaddad added that the committee observed significant progress on the project and expects gas pumping to begin within days, boosting Iraq's electricity grid—especially in Basra province and across the country. 'This project will serve as a viable alternative to Iranian gas, particularly amid ongoing US sanctions and declining import volumes,' he pointed out. 'We are heading into a scorching summer.' In March 2025, the US government ended Iraq's sanctions waiver for importing Iranian electricity as part of its 'maximum pressure' campaign on Tehran, disrupting a key energy source that had supplied a significant share of Iraq's power generation. In response, Iraq is actively seeking alternative energy sources to mitigate the impact of reduced Iranian imports. Efforts include exploring gas imports from countries like Qatar and Oman, as well as investing in domestic energy infrastructure projects. These initiatives aim to enhance Iraq's energy independence and ensure a stable electricity supply, particularly during peak demand periods.
Zawya
17-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
30% of Iraq's Basra gas pipeline finished
Iraq has completed nearly 30 percent of a gas pipeline project in Basra to transport imported gas to power facilities in the Southern province. Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani checked progress of the project during a visit to the Khor Al-Zubair port, where work is underway on a dry gas pipeline crucial for power generation, the Oil Ministry said. In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry said the pipeline, developed by the state-run Oil Projects Company (SCOP), extends 40 km from Khor Al-Zubair to Shatt al-Arab. The initiative follows the expiry of a US sanctions waiver that allowed Iraq to import Iranian gas to run its power facilities. Ali Shaddad, a spokesman for the parliamentary Oil and Gas Committee, told Shafaq news agency that Iraq's dependence on gas-fired power plants, particularly outside Basra, has made the country's energy sector vulnerable. Unlike other regions, Basra's power stations can operate on multiple fuels, including crude oil, ensuring greater grid stability. Shaddad noted that Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani is personally overseeing the gas pipeline project, which began about a month ago and is expected to be completed within 120 days. 'The construction has already surpassed 30 percent, with the pipeline set to transport up to 200 million standard cubic feet per day of Gulf gas,' he said. (Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon)
Shafaq News
14-03-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq starts 40km gas pipeline in Basra to fuel power plants
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Oil Ministry announced on Friday the launch of a gas pipeline project in Basra aimed at supplying fuel to power plants as the country seeks to diversify its energy sources. Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani oversaw the project during a visit to the Khor Al-Zubair port, where work is underway on a dry gas pipeline crucial for power generation, the ministry said in a statement. The pipeline, developed by the state-run Oil Projects Company (SCOP), extends 40 km from Khor Al-Zubair to the Shatt al-Arab regulator, with a diameter of 42 inches. The ministry stressed that the project remains on schedule and adheres to engineering and technical standards. The initiative follows the expiration of a US sanctions waiver on March 8, which had allowed Iraq to import Iranian gas for power generation. With the waiver no longer in effect, Baghdad is accelerating efforts to secure alternative energy sources. Ali Shaddad, a spokesman for the parliamentary Oil and Gas Committee, told Shafaq News Agency that Iraq's dependence on gas-fired power plants, particularly outside Basra, has made the country's energy sector vulnerable. Unlike other regions, Basra's power stations can operate on multiple fuels, including crude oil, ensuring greater grid stability. Shaddad noted that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani is personally overseeing the gas pipeline project, which began about a month ago and is expected to be completed within 120 days. He added that construction has already surpassed 30% completion, with the pipeline set to transport up to 200 million standard cubic feet per day (Mcf/d) of Gulf gas.
Shafaq News
13-03-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Urgent energy drive: Iraq expands production in Maysan
Shafaq News/ Iraq is working to expand oil and gas production in Maysan province, confirmed Ali Shaddad, a parliamentary oil and gas committee spokesman, on Thursday. Maysan's oilfields currently produce around 300,000 barrels of crude and 140 million cubic feet of associated gas daily. "Of this, 30-35 million cubic feet is used to power electricity stations within the Buzurgan, Fakka, and Abu Gharb fields," Shaddad explained. Efforts are underway to increase gas utilization for power generation. The drive to maximize domestic energy resources comes as the government works to address power shortages, especially in central and southern Iraq. "With electricity demand expected to rise as summer approaches, the situation has become more urgent after the US revoked Iraq's waiver to import Iranian gas," Shaddad remarked. Iraq, along with seven other OPEC+ members, is currently withholding 2.2 million bpd from the market. Starting in April, the group plans to gradually increase production, with Iraq's output rising by 12,000 bpd each month.
Zawya
10-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Iraq to finish Basra gasline within 4 months
Iraq has intensified work to complete a pipeline that will transport gas from an offshore terminal to gas facilities in the Southern oil hub of Basra, an Iraqi official has said. Authorities are pushing contractors to finish the project as soon as possible after the US decided last week to end exemption of Baghdad to import gas from nearby Iran, said Ali Shaddad, a member of Parliament's oil and gas committee. 'Work on this project started a month ago and we expect it to be completed after 120 days…this pipeline will transport gas from an offshore platform to Basra,' he said. Shaddad, quoted by the official Iraqi News Agency (INA) on Sunday, said the offshore terminal would receive gas from a Gulf country to offset the halt of Iranian supplies. He did not specify that country but Iraqi officials have indicated they are planning to buy Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Qatar. Iraq is suffering from a severe gas supply shortage due to a sharp fall in Iranian supplies over the months few months. The shortage has aggravated Iraq's power crisis as the country relies heavily on Iranian gas to run its electricity facilities. (Reporting by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon)
