Republic of Iraq // IRAP Authority
Wataniya Bitumen & Oil Refinery
REF: IRAP-IQ-REG-1101
Elite Certified
Integrity Score
4.6
/5.0
Based on our audit
IRAP Verified Checklist
- Legal License Verified
- Physical Location Confirmed
- No Major Complaints Found
Executive Audit Summary
Wataniya Bitumen and Oil Refinery is a flagship industrial project under Wataniya Group, designed and licensed by Austria's Pörner Group. Located adjacent to the Samawa Refinery in Iraq, this state-of-the-art facility features an advanced Biturox® Bitumen Blowing Unit constructed as a grass-root installation to manufacture premium road paving and industrial bitumen grades.
The Biturox® blowing unit operates with a design capacity of 500,000 MTPA (metric tons per annum), producing high-grade bitumen including 20/30, 40/50, 50/70, 60/70, and 80/100 penetration grades adhering rigorously to ASTM, BS/EN, and international engineering standards. In addition, the refinery operates a dedicated Cut-Back Bitumen unit with an operational output capacity of 300 MTPD, engineered for superior road foundation penetration by blending kerosene and 80/100 bitumen feedstocks. Expanding upstream capabilities, the group is establishing a high-capacity Vacuum Distillation Unit (VDU) with an annual capacity of 900,000 MTPA alongside specialized infrastructure.
Wataniya ensures versatile, secure, and flexible packing solutions tailored for global export and local infrastructure distribution. Products are delivered via new steel drums (150 kg, 180 kg, and 220 kg), eco-friendly poly bags / jumbo bags, bulk asphalt vessel tankers, and specialized ISO flexitanks loaded through fully automated truck loading stations. Certified under ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001, and CE marking, the refinery maintains an advanced Quality Control laboratory complying with leading international testing inspection organizations such as SGS, GEOCHEM, and Bureau Veritas (BV).
The Biturox® blowing unit operates with a design capacity of 500,000 MTPA (metric tons per annum), producing high-grade bitumen including 20/30, 40/50, 50/70, 60/70, and 80/100 penetration grades adhering rigorously to ASTM, BS/EN, and international engineering standards. In addition, the refinery operates a dedicated Cut-Back Bitumen unit with an operational output capacity of 300 MTPD, engineered for superior road foundation penetration by blending kerosene and 80/100 bitumen feedstocks. Expanding upstream capabilities, the group is establishing a high-capacity Vacuum Distillation Unit (VDU) with an annual capacity of 900,000 MTPA alongside specialized infrastructure.
Wataniya ensures versatile, secure, and flexible packing solutions tailored for global export and local infrastructure distribution. Products are delivered via new steel drums (150 kg, 180 kg, and 220 kg), eco-friendly poly bags / jumbo bags, bulk asphalt vessel tankers, and specialized ISO flexitanks loaded through fully automated truck loading stations. Certified under ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001, and CE marking, the refinery maintains an advanced Quality Control laboratory complying with leading international testing inspection organizations such as SGS, GEOCHEM, and Bureau Veritas (BV).
Audit Analysis
IRAP-AccreditedAuditor's Note
"Wataniya Bitumen maintains verifiable high-throughput refining assets in Iraq. Production matches ASTM/AASHTO paving-grade standards with robust domestic distribution across central and southern governorates. Operational metrics confirm active state-level licensing, high bulk loading capability, and consistent penetration grade supply, offset by dependency on primary state feedstock allocations."
Validated Capabilities
- Standard-compliant production meeting international asphalt penetration specifications (40/50, 60/70).
- Substantial bulk storage and fleet dispatch capacity serving multi-governorate civil infrastructure.
- Documented environmental and industrial safety compliance with Iraqi Ministry of Oil frameworks.
- Direct procurement capability reducing intermediary markups for major EPC contractors.
Compliance Gaps
- Output stability contingent on state-controlled crude and heavy fuel oil allocation quotas.
- High sensitivity to localized logistics disruptions along central-to-southern Iraqi transport corridors.
- High cost structure for specialized polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) formulations.
- Capital expenditure requirements for periodic desulfurization and emission abatement upgrades.
