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WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 7, 2008) - Iraqi and coalition personnel
are using the security improvements of the past year to make
tremendous progress on the energy front, the director of energy for
Multinational Force Iraq said yesterday.
At a news conference in Baghdad, British Brigadier Carew Wilks
said repairing Iraq's neglected and battered energy infrastructure
-- including pipelines carrying fuel and power lines carrying
electricity -- is the focus of his office.
"Much of Iraq's energy infrastructure is old and in poor
condition and has not kept pace with demand," Wilks said. "It will
take many years and major investment to fully meet the needs of the
Iraqi people. But a strong start has been made, and significant
steps have already been taken through major restoration projects
and repairs."
Wilks, who also is co-chair of the energy fusion cell, said
significant improvements have taken place in Iraq's strategic
energy infrastructure over the past six months.
"The improved security situation across Iraq and the reduced
number of attacks on the infrastructure has made it possible for
the most important oil pipelines and electricity transmission lines
to be repaired," he said. "And much of this network is now in
use."
While many Iraqi and coalition personnel have contributed to
this success, Wilks said, he highlighted the work of the
electricity and oil repair teams.
"The bravery and dedication of the Iraqi engineers and
technicians in these repair teams from the ministries of
Electricity and Oil has been outstanding," he said. "They have
worked in very difficult and dangerous conditions, at constant risk
of their lives and for very long hours. The people of Iraq should
applaud their work and be very proud of their commitments and their
achievements. They are the true heroes of the energy sector."
Most of the critical high-voltage transmission lines are now in
operation around Iraq, the brigadier said. This provides a more
stable national grid and a more reliable share of electricity
across Iraq.
"This time last year, there were nine critical power lines which
had been attacked and needed repair," he said. "This year, ...
there are none. This means that electricity can be delivered more
fairly to the Iraqi people and that the grid is more reliable and
more robust."
And now, he added, the repair teams can move on to new
construction rather than repair.
Still more needs to be done, the brigadier acknowledged.
Terrorists recently sabotaged three of the main electrical lines in
Iraq. Still, he said, the current situation is a huge improvement
from the past.
Wilks also discussed Iraq's oil infrastructure.
"The improved security situation and the repair of the export
pipelines from the Kirkuk oil fields to Turkey has had a major
impact on crude oil production and exports for Iraq, accounting for
a 25 percent increase since June last year, or 500,000 barrels per
day," he said. "In fact, over recent months, Kirkuk has produced
its highest sustained output of oil since 2003, reaching a new
record of 650,000 barrels in one day in May."
An extensive protection system built along the pipelines from
Kirkuk to Beiji is complete and is guarded by the Iraqi army, Wilks
said.
The new Iraqi Oil Police have provided security for pipelines
within the country, as well. Oil refineries are opening in many
areas of Iraq, the brigadier said, and this is doing much to
increase the oil supplies in the country.
Security gains must continue, Wilks said, for further gains in
power and oil. The Iraqi ministries have good plans for the way
forward, he said, and coalition experts will continue to work with
them for the common goal
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