Gasoline shortage in Iraq's Nineveh creates long queues as smart card fuel distribution plan advances

According to Shafaq News reporting from Nineveh, a gasoline shortage in Iraq's Nineveh province has created long queues at fuel stations, with drivers complaining about the quality of the fuel being supplied, including subsidized "improved" gasoline; they say low octane levels in some supplies have caused vehicle engine damage. An official at Iraq's State Oil Products Distribution Company said new measures are being introduced to regulate fuel distribution and curb unauthorized trading, requiring vehicle owners to obtain gasoline through paper cards, electronic cards or mobile linked QR codes after verifying vehicle ownership.

In Iraq's Kurdistan Region, gasoline prices have also been under pressure in recent months. Commercial gasoline exceeded 1,300 dinars ($0.99) per liter before a price cap was introduced in July, and in Al Sulaymaniyah regular gasoline reached 1,000 dinars ($0.76) per liter in June. Acting Natural Resources Minister Kamal Mohammed said the Kurdistan Region needs between 126,700 and 140,000 barrels of fuel a day but receives only about 50,000 barrels from the federal government.