Refinery of Karbala (RKC) has signed an agreement with the Iraq Ministry of Oil for the construction of a $6.5bn refinery in Karbala, Iraq.

The refinery will have a daily capacity of 200,000 barrels of crude oil and will produce high octane petrol and fuel for the domestic market.

RKC CEO Dean Michael said the plant will be located 100km south of Baghdad covering an area of 6km².

Italian firm Saipem will provide the processing technology and attend to the technical aspects of the project, according to thehindubusinessline.com.

RKC is one of the most technically advanced refineries in Iraq, with use of technologies that are set to ensure almost full conversion of crude into final products.