By: Zawya

Iraq has launched the trial operation of a new gas storage facility as part of plans to boost its gas storage capacity in parallel with ongoing projects to expand gas production.

The Ministry of Oil announced on Monday the commencement of trial operations at the Najaf gas depot in central Iraq.

The Ministry’s undersecretary for Gas Affairs, Izzat Ismail said "the construction of the depot, which has a storage capacity of 3,000 cubic metres, is part of plans to increase production and storage capacities and develop the system for transporting, storing, and distributing liquefied gas."

“The depot entering the trial operation phase represents an important step in strengthening the strategic reserve and granting the supply system greater flexibility, thus contributing to the smooth fulfillment of the needs of the central governorates and other cities for liquefied gas," he told the official news agency.

He noted that transporting liquefied gas to the depot via pipelines instead of trucks will contribute to enhancing safety requirements, as well as ensuring the stability of supply to production and service sites.

"The coming days will witness the completion of technical procedures in preparation for the full operation of the depot,” he added.

According to the Director of the General Company for Gas Filling and Services, Anmar Hussein, the Najaf gas depot represents an important addition to the system for storing and supplying liquid gas and contributes to raising the efficiency of transportation and distribution operations and enhancing the stability of supplies.

“We are proceeding with the completion of other depot projects in Iraq’s governorates…these projects will support storage capacities and meet the growing gas needs,” he said.