Iraq Signs Agreement with Siemens to Convert 120 million Cubic Feet of Gas into Fuel for Electricity

 Iraqi Electricity Minister, Ziyad Ali Fadel and Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch shake hands after signing the agreement in Berlin on Wednesday (INA)
Iraqi Electricity Minister, Ziyad Ali Fadel and Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch shake hands after signing the agreement in Berlin on Wednesday (INA)
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Iraq Signs Agreement with Siemens to Convert 120 million Cubic Feet of Gas into Fuel for Electricity

 Iraqi Electricity Minister, Ziyad Ali Fadel and Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch shake hands after signing the agreement in Berlin on Wednesday (INA)
Iraqi Electricity Minister, Ziyad Ali Fadel and Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch shake hands after signing the agreement in Berlin on Wednesday (INA)

Iraqi Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadel signed on Wednesday an agreement with Siemens Energy in Berlin to convert flared gas into fuel for electricity.
The agreement covers about 120 million standard cubic feet of gas within a period of 6 months and an additional 120 million standard cubic feet within one year, according to the Iraqi news agency (INA).

The agreement comes as part of the Iraqi government’s efforts to stop gas flaring and to invest it effectively in generating electrical energy, the Minister’s office said in a statement.

It is also part of Iraq’s commitment to the decisions of the Paris Climate Conference in preserving the environment and providing renewable energy sources.
The statement said the agreement is characterized by rapid implementation, as it includes investing about 120 million standard cubic feet (meaqf) of gas within a short period of 6 months, and an additional 120 (meaqf) within a period of one year.
The gas produced will be used to establish an electrical station with a capacity of 2000 megawatts, to enhance Iraq’s national electricity grid.

Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch commended the Iraqi government for its efforts in overcoming the obstacles that the energy industry has encountered for a long time.

“Iraq has been successful in constructing several infrastructure projects in the last few years that will help develop the actual capabilities of the Iraqi energy sector,” he said, according to the Ministry statement.



Oil Trims Gains on Dollar Strength, Tight Supplies Provide Support

FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
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Oil Trims Gains on Dollar Strength, Tight Supplies Provide Support

FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo

Oil prices trimmed earlier gains on Wednesday as the dollar strengthened but continued to find support from a tightening of supplies from Russia and other OPEC members and a drop in US crude stocks.

Brent crude was up 21 cents, or 0.27%, at $77.26 a barrel at 1424 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 27 cents, or 0.36%, to $74.52.

Both benchmarks had risen more than 1% earlier in the session, but pared gains on a strengthening US dollar.

"Crude oil took a minor tumble in response to a strengthening dollar following news reports that Trump is considering declaring a national economic emergency to provide legal ground for universal tariffs," added Ole Hansen, analyst at Saxo Bank.

A stronger dollar makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies.

"The drop (in oil prices) seems to be driven by a general shift in risk sentiment with European equity markets falling and the USD getting stronger," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Oil output from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries fell in December after two months of increases, a Reuters survey showed.

In Russia, oil output averaged 8.971 million barrels a day in December, below the country's target, Bloomberg reported citing the energy ministry.

US crude oil stocks fell last week while fuel inventories rose, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.

Despite the unexpected draw in crude stocks, the significant rise in product inventories was putting those prices under pressure, PVM analyst Tamas Varga said.

Analysts expect oil prices to be on average down this year from 2024 due in part to production increases from non-OPEC countries.

"We are holding to our forecast for Brent crude to average $76/bbl in 2025, down from an average of $80/bbl in 2024," BMI, a division of Fitch Group, said in a client note.