Geographical analysis of the oil industries in Dhi Qar Governorate and indicators of its development

Abstract

The oil industry holds significant importance in our lives due to its strategic role in fostering industrial development and supporting the national economy. Dhi Qar Governorate enjoys substantial economic importance, as it hosts oil fields and downstream industries, including refining and gas filling. Data for this study were obtained from governmental institutions within Dhi Qar Governorate, utilizing a descriptive methodology to describe the collected data and a statistical approach to analyze certain indicators.

The study aims to identify the main oil industries in the governorate, examine their spatial distribution, and analyze key indicators of their development. The findings reveal the presence of five productive oil fields: Nasiriyah, Gharraf, Siba, Rafidain, and Block 10, with a total of 131 wells. The refining industry is represented by a single refinery, the Dhi Qar Refinery, employing 382 workers.

Additionally, the governorate has 12 gas filling plants distributed unevenly across its districts, with varying production capacities. A deficit in gas cylinder production was identified, amounting to 3,876 cylinders, necessitating the establishment of an additional plant to meet this shortfall. While refining and gas filling industries are not highly localized in the governorate, they remain operational. Conversely, the downstream oil industry holds greater significance and demonstrates higher concentration within Dhi Qar compared to the national level.

Indicators of the oil industry’s development in Dhi Qar suggest that the number of refining facilities will increase to five, and the number of gas filling plants will grow to 20 by the end of the studied period.