Natural Gas Liquids Production — - Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Production refers to the total volume of liquid hydrocarbons recovered from natural gas during production and processing within a given year. It is typically measured in thousand barrels per day (kb/d) and includes hydrocarbons that are separated from natural gas streams because they condense into liquids under normal surface conditions. Major components include ethane, propane, butane, isobutane, and natural gasoline (pentanes plus). This indicator reflects a country's capability to recover valuable liquid hydrocarbons from natural gas production and is widely used to assess upstream gas processing activity, hydrocarbon resource utilization, and supply of feedstocks for petrochemical, heating, and transportation applications.
Measured in thousand barrels daily, the dataset reflects total NGL production and serves as an important indicator of natural gas processing activity, hydrocarbon resource development, investment trends, and the overall performance of Iraq's energy sector. The dataset supports assessment of production trends, processing activity, and long-term supply performance.
Iraq produced 41 thousand barrels daily of NGLs in 2015 before increasing to 48 thousand in 2016 and 64 thousand in both 2017 and 2018. Production rose to 68 thousand barrels daily in 2019 before easing to 64 thousand in 2020. Output recovered to 70 thousand barrels daily in 2021, increased to 74 thousand in 2022, and reached 84 thousand barrels daily in 2023, the highest level during the review period. The overall increase reflects expanding natural gas processing operations, greater utilization of associated gas resources, and continued investment in gas recovery infrastructure.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates a positive long-term production trend with moderate year-to-year fluctuations. Rising NGL output indicates improving operational efficiency and gradual expansion of the country's natural gas value chain. Continued investment in gas processing facilities and resource development is expected to further strengthen Iraq's domestic NGL supply and support long-term growth in the energy sector.
The dataset serves as a valuable resource for monitoring national NGL production performance, evaluating supply trends, assessing upstream investment, supporting market analysis, forecasting future production, and enabling policymakers, researchers, investors, and industry stakeholders to develop effective energy strategies and production planning.