Baiji oil refinery explained

Baiji oil refinery
Country:	Iraq
City:	Baiji
Capacity Bbl/D:	310,000

The Baiji oil refinery is the largest oil refinery in Iraq and produces a third of the country's oil output.^{[1] [2]} The refinery is 130 miles north of Baghdad, about halfway between Baghdad and Mosul, near the city of Baiji.^[3] In 2008, 500 tanker trucks filled with fuel used to leave the refinery per day.^[4] It was a target of intense fighting between the Islamic State and the Iraqi government in 2014 and 2015.

Capture by ISIS

See main article: Battle of Baiji (2015). The refinery was captured by ISIS on 24 June 2014 after 10 days of seizure.^[5] The refinery was taken back by Iraqi forces and Shia militias, known as popular mobilization forces, fighting alongside them on 16 October 2015, after it had changed hands repeatedly. It had received so much damage that it would take years to have it operational,^[6]

Reopening in 2024

Following the damages suffered in 2014/15, extensive works allowed to reopen the refinery in February, 2024.^[7]

Notes and References

1. News: Staff writers. Iraqi forces and militia seize most of Baiji refinery: officials. 18 April 2016. Reuters. 15 October 2015.
2. News: Staff. ISIL fighters set Iraq's Beiji oil refinery ablaze. 18 April 2016. www.aljazeera.com.
3. News: Nordland. Rod. Al-salhy. Suadad. Extremists Attack Iraq’s Biggest Oil Refinery. 18 April 2016. The New York Times. 18 June 2014.
4. News: Oppel. Richard A. Jr.. Iraq’s Insurgency Runs on Stolen Oil Profits. 18 April 2016. The New York Times. 16 March 2008.
5. News: Staff writers. Isis rebels 'capture' Baiji Iraq oil refinery. 18 April 2016. Channel 4 News.
6. News: Gordon. Michael R.. Iraqi Forces and Shiite Militias Retake Oil Refinery From ISIS. 18 April 2016. The New York Times. 16 October 2015.
7. News: February 23, 2024 . Iraq reopens largest oil refinery after decade-long shutdown . February 23, 2024 . Rudaw.