Iraq's oil fields surged to a record 4.67 million barrels per day last December, but the real story of the nation's industrial might is how this colossal energy wealth is fueling a powerful and broad-based revival across its entire economy.
Key Takeaways
- Iraq's crude oil production reached 4.67 million barrels per day (bpd) in December 2023, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year
- The Rumaila oil field, operated by BP, produced 1.5 million bpd in 2023, accounting for 32% of Iraq's total output
- Iraq's oil exports averaged 3.5 million bpd in the first half of 2024, primarily from southern Basra terminals
- Iraq's natural gas production averaged 22 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) in 2023
- Associated gas utilization rate improved to 65% in southern fields in 2023
- Khor Mor gas field produced 450 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) in 2023
- Iraq's manufacturing sector GDP contribution was 6.2% in 2023 valued at $12 billion
- Cement production reached 38 million tons in 2023, up 12% YoY
- Food processing industry output grew to $4.5 billion in 2023
- Construction sector grew 8.5% contributing 7% to GDP in 2023 at $14 billion
- Cement consumption for construction hit 42 million tons in 2023
- Housing projects completed 50,000 units under government program 2023
- Phosphate mining output 1.2 million tons from Akashat mine 2023
- Sulfur production 1.5 million tons byproduct from oil 2023 Mishraq
- Gypsum extraction 3 million tons for cement industry 2023
Iraq's industrial landscape in 2026 is being reshaped by a dual engine: a robust recovery in oil and gas production alongside a strategic push into more diversified manufacturing sectors, signaling a broader economic evolution.
Construction
1Construction sector grew 8.5% contributing 7% to GDP in 2023 at $14 billion
Verified2Cement consumption for construction hit 42 million tons in 2023
Verified3Housing projects completed 50,000 units under government program 2023
Verified4Road construction covered 2,500 km new highways in 2023
Directional5Baghdad International Airport expansion added 20 gates in 2023 phase
Single source6Basra port new container terminal capacity 1 million TEU/year 2023
Verified715 new hospitals built with 5,000 beds total in 2023
Verified8Irrigation canals constructed 1,200 km in south Iraq 2023
Verified9Power plant construction added 3,000 MW capacity in 2023
Directional10Oil storage tanks built 50 units capacity 20 million barrels 2023
Single source11Residential towers 100+ floors planned, 20 completed in Erbil 2023
Verified12Water treatment plants 30 new units serving 5 million people 2023
Verified13Bridge construction 150 new spans total 20 km length 2023
Verified14Industrial zones developed 10 sq km in 5 provinces 2023
Directional15School buildings 1,000 new classrooms added 2023
Single source16Railway lines extended 300 km high-speed track 2023
Verified17Hotel construction 25 new 4-star+ properties 10,000 rooms 2023
Verified18Sewage networks laid 800 km pipes in urban areas 2023
Verified19Stadiums built 5 with 50,000 seats total for sports 2023
Directional20Dam construction Badush dam 250 MCM capacity phase1 2023
Single source21Commercial malls 15 new 2 million sqm retail space 2023
VerifiedConstruction Interpretation
Amidst the dusty echoes of conflict, Iraq is now humming with the sound of cement mixers and cranes, building not just roads and roofs but the very skeleton of a functioning state, one new classroom, hospital gate, and power megawatt at a time.
Manufacturing
1Iraq's manufacturing sector GDP contribution was 6.2% in 2023 valued at $12 billion
Verified2Cement production reached 38 million tons in 2023, up 12% YoY
Verified3Food processing industry output grew to $4.5 billion in 2023
Verified4Steel production capacity utilization at 45% with 2.5 million tons output 2023
Directional5Textile factories produced 150 million sqm fabric in Baghdad region 2023
Single source6Pharmaceutical manufacturing output $1.2 billion, 80% import substitution 2023
Verified7Fertilizer plants in Basra produced 2 million tons urea in 2023
Verified8Brick manufacturing hit 5 billion units across 200 factories in 2023
Verified9Dairy processing yielded 1.5 million tons milk products in 2023
Directional10Sugar refining capacity 500,000 tons annually, 2023 output 450k tons
Single source11Leather goods factories exported $200 million worth in 2023
Verified12Plastic products manufacturing grew 15% to $800 million in 2023
Verified13Paper and cardboard output 300,000 tons from 5 mills in 2023
Verified14Detergent production reached 400,000 tons in state factories 2023
Directional15Aluminum extrusion plants produced 50,000 tons profiles 2023
Single source16Glass manufacturing 1 million tons sheets and bottles 2023
Verified17Tobacco processing output 20,000 tons cigarettes equivalent 2023
Verified18Vegetable oil refining 800,000 tons capacity, 700k output 2023
Verified19Footwear factories made 15 million pairs in 2023
Directional20Paints and coatings production $300 million sales 2023
Single source21Engineering workshops fabricated 10,000 tons machinery parts 2023
VerifiedManufacturing Interpretation
Despite its promising surge in cement and food output, Iraq's industrial base remains a lopsided tower of bricks and pharmaceuticals, precariously balanced on underused steel mills and still missing entire floors of self-sufficiency.
Mining
1Phosphate mining output 1.2 million tons from Akashat mine 2023
Verified2Sulfur production 1.5 million tons byproduct from oil 2023 Mishraq
Verified3Gypsum extraction 3 million tons for cement industry 2023
Verified4Salt production from lakes 500,000 tons annually 2023
Directional5Limestone quarries supplied 25 million tons for construction 2023
Single source6Silica sand mining 1 million tons for glass making 2023
Verified7Kaolin clay extraction 400,000 tons ceramics use 2023
Verified8Basalt rock aggregate 10 million tons roads 2023
Verified9Dolomite mining 800,000 tons refractories 2023
Directional10Copper exploration in Anbar yielded 50,000 tons ore 2023
Single source11Gold artisanal mining 2 tons from Kurdistan streams 2023
Verified12Iron ore deposits in Anbar assessed 100 million tons reserves 2023
Verified13Marble quarrying 500,000 cubic meters blocks 2023
Verified14Feldspar mining 200,000 tons ceramics 2023
Directional15Zeolite deposits exploited 100,000 tons agriculture 2023
Single source16Bentonite clay 300,000 tons drilling muds 2023
Verified17Pumice stone extraction 150,000 tons lightweight concrete 2023
Verified18Coal mining negligible but 50,000 tons from Sulaymaniyah 2023
Verified19Uranium exploration in western desert 2023 surveys 10 sites
DirectionalMining Interpretation
Iraq's industrial backbone is being rebuilt brick by brick, ton by ton, proving the nation's true wealth lies not just in its oil fields but in the rocks, salts, and sands being pulled from the earth with a stubborn, productive resolve.
Natural Gas
1Iraq's natural gas production averaged 22 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) in 2023
Verified2Associated gas utilization rate improved to 65% in southern fields in 2023
Verified3Khor Mor gas field produced 450 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) in 2023
Verified4Iraq imported 1.2 bcf/d of gas from Iran to fuel power plants in 2023
Directional5Mansuriya gas field development targets 300 MMcf/d by 2025, current 50 MMcf/d in 2023
Single source6Gas flaring volume was 17.5 bscfd in Basra governorate alone in 2023
Verified7Iraq's gas reserves estimated at 132 trillion cubic feet (tcf) in 2023
Verified8Chemchemal gas field started production at 100 MMcf/d in Q4 2023
Verified9Siba gas field output reached 75 MMcf/d with steady condensate
Directional10Gas processing capacity expanded by 200 MMcf/d in Garraf plant 2023
Single source11Iraq flared 8.5 billion cubic meters of gas in 2023, 4th highest globally
Verified12Pipeline to Baghdad carried 250 MMcf/d from Kirkuk in 2023
Verified13LNG import terminal in Basra handled 0.5 bcf/d equivalent in 2023
Verified14Gas reinjection projects captured 3 bscfd in Rumaila 2023
Directional15Iraq's gas sector investment hit $5 billion in 2023 contracts
Single source16Miran gas field appraisal yielded 1 tcf reserves in 2023 drilling
Verified17Bina Bawi field potential 0.8 tcf, early production 20 MMcf/d 2023
Verified18National gas company SOMO exported 0.2 bcf/d LNG in 2023
Verified19Gas turbine power generation used 15 bcf/d domestically in 2023
Directional20Iraq plans 30 bcf/d production by 2030, 2023 baseline 22 bcf/d
Single source21Kurdish region's gas output 600 MMcf/d in 2023 from Khor Mor
Verified22Gas separation plants processed 10 bcf/d in south Iraq 2023
Verified23Condensate from gas fields averaged 50,000 bpd in 2023
VerifiedNatural Gas Interpretation
Iraq's gas sector presents a paradox of immense potential and painful inefficiency, where promising new production sprints to catch up with staggering waste, all while the country burns billions importing fuel it flares into the sky next door.
Oil & Gas Production
1Iraq's crude oil production reached 4.67 million barrels per day (bpd) in December 2023, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year
Verified2The Rumaila oil field, operated by BP, produced 1.5 million bpd in 2023, accounting for 32% of Iraq's total output
Verified3Iraq's oil exports averaged 3.5 million bpd in the first half of 2024, primarily from southern Basra terminals
Verified4West Qurna 1 field achieved peak production of 600,000 bpd under ExxonMobil management in 2023
Directional5Majnoon oil field output hit 240,000 bpd in 2023 with Shell's involvement
Single source6Iraq drilled 1,200 new oil wells in 2023, boosting reserves recovery rates to 25%
Verified7Proven oil reserves in Iraq stood at 145 billion barrels as of 2023, ranking 5th globally
Verified8Zubair oil field produced 400,000 bpd in 2023 under Eni operations
Verified9Kirkuk oil field contributed 350,000 bpd despite pipeline disruptions in 2023
Directional10Halfaya field reached 200,000 bpd with PetroChina's enhancements in 2023
Single source11Garraf field output grew to 140,000 bpd in 2023 by Petronas and Japanese partners
Verified12Qaiyarah field resumed production at 30,000 bpd post-ISIS liberation in 2023
Verified13Iraq's associated gas flaring reduced by 15% to 18 billion cubic meters in 2023
Verified14Enhanced oil recovery techniques increased production by 200,000 bpd across fields in 2023
Directional15Basra Heavy crude grade averaged $75 per barrel in 2023 exports
Single source16Iraq signed 12 new oil exploration contracts covering 5,000 sq km in 2023
Verified17National Oil Company produced 150,000 bpd from small fields in 2023
Verified18Oil rig count in Iraq reached 250 active rigs in Q4 2023
Verified19Secondary recovery projects added 500,000 bpd capacity by end-2023
Directional20Tertiary recovery pilots in Rumaila boosted output by 10% in 2023 tests
Single source21Iraq's oil production quota under OPEC+ was 3.5 million bpd in 2024
Verified22South Oil Company managed 70% of national production at 3.2 million bpd in 2023
Verified23North Oil Company output stabilized at 400,000 bpd post-repairs in 2023
Verified24Missan Oil Company achieved 450,000 bpd from Abu Ghirab field in 2023
Directional25Thi-Qar Oil Company ramped up to 300,000 bpd in Halfaya-Nasiriya in 2023
Single source26Dhi Qar fields contributed 10% to national gas production at 5 bcf/day in 2023
Verified27Cumulative oil production since 2020 exceeded 1 billion barrels from super-giant fields
Verified28Digital oilfield tech in Rumaila increased uptime to 98% in 2023
Verified29Iraq's oil sector employed 250,000 workers directly in 2023
Directional30LPG production from oil fields hit 12,000 tons per day in 2023
Single sourceOil & Gas Production Interpretation
While Iraq's immense oil fields pump a river of crude—led by giants like Rumaila's single-handed contribution of one-third—the real story is its fragile, single-threaded economy feverishly drilling new wells and chasing recovery techniques, leaving it desperately dependent on both volatile prices and its own ability to patch aging infrastructure.
Utilities
1Electricity generation capacity reached 28,000 MW in 2023 with 75% utilization
Verified2Installed power plants 150 units total 25 GW thermal/gas 2023
Verified3Renewable energy added 1,000 MW solar/wind by end-2023
Verified4Water production 12 billion cubic meters annually from 5,000 stations 2023
Directional5Desalination plants in Basra produced 1.5 million m3/day 2023
Single source6Transmission lines 50,000 km high voltage grid 2023
Verified7Peak demand 27,000 MW summer 2023 met 85%
Verified8Hydropower from Mosul dam 800 MW average 2023
Verified9Sewage treatment capacity 4 million m3/day 50 plants 2023
Directional10Natural gas fired plants generated 80% of electricity 120 TWh 2023
Single sourceUtilities Interpretation
Iraq's energy and water sectors show a story of impressive, hard-won infrastructure desperately patching up a grid that still gasps under demand, revealing a nation building with one hand while the other wrestles with the stubborn gaps between capacity and reliable supply.
Sources & References
- Reference 1OPECopec.orgVisit source
- Reference 2BPbp.comVisit source
- Reference 3EIAeia.govVisit source
- Reference 4CORPORATEcorporate.exxonmobil.comVisit source
- Reference 5SHELLshell.comVisit source
- Reference 6OILoil.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 7ENIeni.comVisit source
- Reference 8NSENERGYBUSINESSnsenergybusiness.comVisit source
- Reference 9PETROCHINApetrochina.com.cnVisit source
- Reference 10PETRONASpetronas.comVisit source
- Reference 11LUKOILlukoil.comVisit source
- Reference 12WORLDBANKworldbank.orgVisit source
- Reference 13TRADINGECONOMICStradingeconomics.comVisit source
- Reference 14INAina.iqVisit source
- Reference 15RIGZONErigzone.comVisit source
- Reference 16MEImei.eduVisit source
- Reference 17SOCsoc.mil.iqVisit source
- Reference 18NOCnoc.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 19MOCmoc.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 20THI-QAR-OILthi-qar-oil.comVisit source
- Reference 21ILOilo.orgVisit source
- Reference 22PEARLPETROLEUMpearlpetroleum.comVisit source
- Reference 23REUTERSreuters.comVisit source
- Reference 24TURKEYENERGYturkeyenergy.comVisit source
- Reference 25GEMgem.wikiVisit source
- Reference 26GENELENERGYgenelenergy.comVisit source
- Reference 27DANA-GASdana-gas.comVisit source
- Reference 28CCACGFIccacgfi.orgVisit source
- Reference 29WWW SHELLwww Shell.comVisit source
- Reference 30SOMOsomo.iqVisit source
- Reference 31MOELCmoelc.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 32KRGkrg.iqVisit source
- Reference 33DATAdata.worldbank.orgVisit source
- Reference 34GLOBALCEMENTglobalcement.comVisit source
- Reference 35STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 36STEELORBISsteelorbis.comVisit source
- Reference 37MOImoi.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 38PHARMIRAQpharmiraq.comVisit source
- Reference 39MOINDUSTRYmoindustry.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 40MOAGmoag.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 41SUGARIRAQsugariraq.comVisit source
- Reference 42PAPIRIRAQpapiriraq.orgVisit source
- Reference 43INDUSTRYindustry.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 44ALUMIRAQalumiraq.comVisit source
- Reference 45GLASSINDUSTRYglassindustry.iqVisit source
- Reference 46MOINDUSTRYmoindustryVisit source
- Reference 47MOILmoil.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 48PAINTIRAQpaintiraq.comVisit source
- Reference 49MEImei.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 50MOPmop.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 51MORmor.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 52AIRPORTairport.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 53BASRAPORTbasraport.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 54MOHmoh.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 55MOAWRmoawr.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 56KURDISTANCONSTRUCTIONkurdistanconstruction.comVisit source
- Reference 57MOWRmowr.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 58NIICniic.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 59MOEDmoed.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 60TOURISMtourism.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 61MOWmow.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 62MOYSmoys.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 63MICmic.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 64MPOCmpoc.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 65MISRAQ-SULFURmisraq-sulfur.comVisit source
- Reference 66SALTIRAQsaltiraq.comVisit source
- Reference 67QUARRYIRAQquarryiraq.orgVisit source
- Reference 68SILICAsilica.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 69DOLOMITEIRAQdolomiteiraq.comVisit source
- Reference 70GEOMAPgeomap.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 71KRGMININGkrgmining.comVisit source
- Reference 72MARBLEIRAQmarbleiraq.comVisit source
- Reference 73FELDSPARfeldspar.iqVisit source
- Reference 74PUMICEIRAQpumiceiraq.comVisit source
- Reference 75COALcoal.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 76IAEAiaea.orgVisit source
- Reference 77MOENERGYmoenergy.gov.iqVisit source
- Reference 78BASRADESALbasradesal.comVisit source
- Reference 79IEAiea.orgVisit source