Exports and imports

As explained in the previous sections, Iraq’s refining capacity is not sufficient to meet domestic demand. In addition, the existing refineries produce more heavy fuel oil than gasoline and diesel.

Exports and imports of crude and refined petroleum products have to go through the State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO). However, privately owned fuel stations, including those in the Kurdistan Region (KRI) are authorized to import fuel and sell it at a higher price than that of fuel stations under the federal government.

The KRI government allows only government vehicles to refuel at KRI governmental fuel stations. The rest of the population must buy fuel from private fuel stations.

Iraq has been a net importer of diesel and no exports have been recorded. Data from SO