Iraq Update: July 6th

Source Article HERE.

From 'Centcom': Brigadier Carew Wilks, MNF-I Energy Fusion Cell, and Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll, MNF-I spokesman, provided an operational and energy update...

Rear Adm Droscoll’s opening remarks:

Good afternoon and as-salaam aleikum.

Today, I am joined by Brigadier Carew (Carey) Wilks, Director of Energy for Multi-National Force-Iraq Energy Fusion Cell. He will provide an update on Iraq’s energy infrastructure and the Government of Iraq’s ability to generate electricity and fuel. Following his comments I will give a brief update on security operations and then we will take some questions.

Brigadier Wilks, welcome.

Brigadier Wilks’ opening remarks:

I am Brigadier Carew Wilks, Director of Energy Operations for MNF-I and co-Chair of the Energy Fusion Cell. The Energy Fusion Cell is a partnership of those involved in Iraq’s energy issues, and works with colleagues in the US Embassy and within the Government of Iraq to coordinate oil and electricity sector restoration. We assist the Directorate for Infrastructure Operations in Iraq’s Ministry of Defense, and the Ministries of Oil and Electricity, to improve Iraq’s energy situation. The main focus for our work has been the security and repair of Iraq’s strategic energy infrastructure – the vital pipelines and electricity lines that connect the country, and provide the much needed energy to the Iraqi people. Much of Iraq’s energy infrastructure is old and in poor condition, and has not kept pace with demand: 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.

Indeed, I am delighted to report that over the past 6 months we have seen significant improvement in the condition of Iraq’s strategic energy infrastructure. 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, and much of the network is now back in use. This has been as a result of a combined effort involving the repair teams from the Ministries of Electricity and Oil, and the security forces of the Iraqi Army, the Oil Police, and Coalition Forces. I would like to single out the electricity and oil repair teams for special attention. The bravery and dedication of the Iraqi engineers and technicians in these repair teams from the Ministries of Electricity and Oil has been outstanding: 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 commitment and their achievements: they are the heroes of the energy sector.

On the electricity system, most of the critical high voltage transmission lines are now in operation, which is providing a more stable national grid and a more reliable share of electricity across Iraq. This time last year there were 9 critical power line which had been attacked and needed repair; today there are none. This means that electricity can be delivered more fairly to the Iraqi people and that the grid is more reliable and robust. It also frees up the Ministry of Electricity’s resources to further improve the grid by switching from repair work to the construction of new power lines.

A strong grid is also allowing the Ministry of Electricity to take steps to make the grid more stable and reduce the number of blackouts. From December to May there were 11 major nationwide blackouts, each of which resulted in many days of reduced power supply. Since mid June we have been supporting the Ministry in his plan to improve the management of power. This is very important as there is not enough power to meet all the needs and it must be shared fairly. We are working to support the Ministry in improving security and procedures at substations, and to ensure that the plans to share power are being implemented fairly across Iraq. The initial results are very successful: there have been no blackouts for several weeks and power supply is higher.

For oil infrastructure, the improved security situation and the repair of the export pipelines from the Kirkuk oilfields to Turkey has had a major impact on crude oil production and exports for Iraq, accounting for a 25% increase since June 2007, or 500k barrels per day on average. In fact over recent months, Kirkuk has produced its highest sustained output of oil since 2003, reaching a new record of 651k barrels in one day on 16 May 08. The extensive protection system built along the pipelines from Kirkuk to Bayji is now complete, and guarded by the Iraqi Army. The export pipeline north from Bayji has also been repaired and is guarded by the Iraqi Oil Police, formerly the Oil Protection Force. The Oil Police, currently undergoing additional training, provide excellent protection along pipelines throughout Iraq.

The improved conditions have allowed the Ministry of Oil’s plans for restoration and expansion across Iraq to move forward. Refinery production has reached new records in recent weeks, with output 45% higher than a year ago: this equates to an increase of about 3 million litres per day of kerosene, diesel and benzene. The major contribution is from Bayji refinery which has significantly increased output this year, due to a major refurbishment, more reliable supply of crude oil from Kirkuk, and more stable electricity. Regional refineries have also reopened in Najaf and Siniyah, and the Haditha refinery will reopen over the next 2 weeks, making a significant difference in Anbar Province.

Repairs to many oil and gas distribution pipelines are now completed, which has led to a significant improvement in the supply of LPG, diesel and petrol across Iraq. Recent repairs to pipelines around Baghdad, such as the 14” LPG line and the 10” product line, along with improved security from the Oil Police, have significantly improved the amount of fuel available to the residents of Baghdad, especially for LPG. This improvement remains fragile and any problems can have an immediate effect on supplies, as we saw last week.

Over the last few weeks, repairs have also started on the important pipelines running between Bayji and Baghdad, along with the construction of physical protection for these pipelines. This important group of pipelines connects north and south Iraq, and will distribute oil products such as kerosene and diesel to the people of Baghdad, and natural gas to the electricity power station at Taji and Daura leading to 200MW of additional electricity. In the longer term, the Ministry of Oil plans to replace the damaged crude oil pipelines within this protected corridor.

The improved security situation has also helped to provide opportunities for more improvements and much needed investment in both the oil and electricity infrastructure. In the electricity sector, the Minister of Electricity is making excellent progress with delivering the electricity Master Plan, and new generating capacity is being provided every week. Electricity supply is 24% higher this week than the same week last year: this equates to nearly 1000MW, enough power for 400,000 homes. Overall for the year so far, power is on average 11% higher than the same period last year, even though the drought has reduced the amount of hydro-electric power from the dams. The increase is due to better maintenance, and the construction of new power projects. Major projects at Baghdad South Power Station, at Irbil and at Mussaib, are adding new generating capacity. The Minister recently signed a number of contracts, including a major contract with GE for 8 large gas turbine generators for delivery next year: this is an important step in bringing modern technology and international expertise to Iraq, and demonstrates an increased confidence in Iraq amongst global companies. And as I speak, 4 very large new generators are moving to Samarra, having been transported from Jordon, these are the first of 5 such convoys. But as you can see from the slide, it will take many years of major investment to meet the rising electricity demand.

The improving security situation is creating the conditions for major projects to move forward in the oil sector, and which may encourage further investment. The Minister of Oil recently announced that he will be seeking proposals to develop 8 oil and gas fields, and he is in discussion with a number of international companies to work in the development of the oil and gas sector. Such global companies can provide the technology and support needed to help Iraq.

In summary, the last 6 months has seen significant progress in Iraq’s energy sector. Improved security has enabled major gains to be made in Iraq’s electricity supply and oil production, restoring a basic level of services to the people of Iraq. However there is still much to do, which will required significant investment in Iraq’s energy infrastructure over many years. We will continue to support the Government of Iraq in taking forward their energy plans.

Rear Adm Droscoll’s remarks, continued:

Thank you, Brigadier Wilks.

The security trends in Iraq continue to improve. The number of total security incidents across Iraq is still at levels not seen since early 2004. As Iraqi Security Forces enforce the rule of law and improve security in places like Basrah, Baghdad, Mosul and Maysan, the people are finding new confidence in those that lead and protect them. Iraqis see security forces in their neighborhoods providing protection, and they are increasingly providing the Army and the Police with valuable information that enhances safety. As they operate in areas where they were not always able to operate before, Iraqi Security Forces are taking more weapons off the streets – which further limits the ability of criminals and terrorists to violently attack Iraqi civilians and Iraqi Security Forces, as well as Coalition forces.

In Basrah we continue to see a dramatic increase in the seizure of weapons and explosives since Prime Minister Maliki led an operation to restore governmental authority in the area. Since late March, Iraqi Security Forces have captured:

• Over 6,200 mortars,

• almost 800 artillery rounds,

• more than 20 surface-to-air missiles,

• over 750 rockets,

• almost 200 rocket-propelled grenade launchers,

• approximately 340 Improvised Explosive Devices,

• and more than 50 Explosively Formed Penetrators.

In Mosul, 33 caches of weapons were seized during the last week of June. In Baghdad, Iraqi and Coalition forces found and safely cleared 67 weapons caches during the same period. In the East Baghdad area of Sadr City, 19 caches were captured, for a total of 217, since Iraqi Security Forces began intensified operations there. In Amarah, Iraqi forces found and cleared 139 caches of weapons and explosives last week. They add to the total of 240 for the month of June.

On June 29, the Iraqi Army in Amarah seized a significant weapons cache that included enough shaped-charge components to build between 40 and 50 Explosively Formed Penetrators, and 400 blocks of C4 explosives and small arms. This past Tuesday in Amarah, the 38th Iraqi Army brigade found another cache of EFP components consisting of 152 copper disks, a lethal part of these deadly bombs. We have taken a lot of enemy weapons off the battlefield, and it is making this country significantly safer.

We still face a tough fight... And it is an increasingly Iraqi effort, with the ISF often in the lead and the Coalition in support, with key enablers. Iraqis are proving increasingly capable of leading and executing missions, as we see in the simultaneous operations across Iraq today. The Government of Iraq is also undertaking improvements by following up security operations with the restoration of essential services, reconstruction, and the creation of economic opportunity. I want to share a few more examples of such work, illustrating the ways that Coalition forces are contributing to these efforts.

On June 25th, civic leaders welcomed Iraqi Security Forces, local residents and Coalition forces to a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Mansour district of Baghdad. They were there to celebrate the opening of Baghdad’s largest public works substation, the Ameriyah substation. The facility will provide the community with its own center that supports street cleaning, sanitation and garbage removal. This is the first time these services will be provided in parts of this neighborhood in over two years.

Iraqi firms worked hard to renovate the building, install security barriers, and get the facility ready to resume service for 15,000 people. Much of the work was assisted by an embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, MND – Baghdad.

In Basrah, work is continuing on the Basrah Children’s Hospital. Nine different Iraqi companies are building this innovative new facility with coordination from U.S. Army engineers of the Gulf Region South District. When it is completed next year, it will be a highly advanced, pediatric cancer treatment hospital – a truly invaluable resource for families in need in the region. The recent operations undertaken by the government of Iraq in Basrah are improving the prospects that this hospital will open and provide the children of Iraq with a world-class medical center.

Iraqi Security Forces received 3,700 up-armored Humvees through programs that refurbish U.S. Army vehicles and pass them on to expand Iraqi capabilities. On June 26th, Iraqi and Coalition forces held a ceremony to mark the transfer of the 1,000 up-armored Humvee to Iraqi Security Forces, under a new program that began in March. The program is on track to provide Iraqi Security Forces with 8,000 vehicles by the end of next year. As Iraqi forces take on greater missions to protect more of their country, these vehicles enhance capability by providing mobility and protection for soldiers and police officers.

As I said, we still face a tough fight. We continue to pressure those who want to destroy rather than rebuild Iraq, and Coalition Forces are committed to supporting the Iraqi Security Forces in preserving our hard fought security gains. We will now take your questions.