KRG to distribute heating oil despite high price

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) will start distributing heating oil over people in October despite its high price, acting natural resources minister announced on Tuesday. 

A barrel of crude oil is about $90 in world markets while a barrel of heating oil or kerosene is over $150 in the Kurdistan Region. This has concerned many people who fear that they may afford a couple of barrels of kerosene as winter’s frigid weather nears. 

Kamal Mohammad Salih, KRG’s acting natural resources minister, visited the Kurdistan parliament on Tuesday, meeting with the deputy speaker of the legislature and members of the energy committee. He announced that his ministry will start distributing heating oil next month. 

“The heating oil distribution process will be a three-stage one. We will begin with mountainous areas, followed by surrounding areas and city centres,” said the minister, expecting the process to end by the end of the year, according to a statement from the KRG.  

According to data from the ministry, it distributed 111 million litres of kerosene over people last year, but it has warned that the ministry needs over 257 million litres this year to meet the demand. 

The KRG usually distributes heating oil for half of its actual price but it is not clear if it will apply the same mechanism this year. 

Last year, people from mountainous areas and surrounding areas paid 55,000 dinars but those who lived in city centres paid 90,000 dinars.