New Iraq refinery to pump 70,000 bpd (08/10/05)

Iraqi crew have rebuilt a 70,000 barrels per day oil refinery unit, despite regular attacks, helping to plug shortages that cost over $5 billion a year in fuel imports, oil officials said.

The crude distillation unit, one of three at the northern Baiji refinery, has re-opened after a total rebuild and is now operational, they told Reuters. "It is back up and domestic output has risen as a result," said the official, adding that a second unit at Baiji is due for maintenance within six months, said a report in the Gulf News.

"It has been a long road, but the crew showed resilience that has been the hallmark of the Iraqi oil industry since the war with Iran in 1980," he said.