PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
Iraqi Industrial Heating Oil (IHO)
A lighter fuel oil for industrial burners, boilers and kilns, sourced from Iraqi refineries and supplied mainly by road tanker for regional buyers.
- Viscosity
- Typically 80–120 cSt
at 50 °C - Supply
- Road tanker
Bulk on request - Terms
- Road: FCA · CPT · DAP
Sea: FOB · CFR · CIF
OVERVIEW
Iraqi IHO Supply
Industrial heating oil, traded in Iraq simply as IHO, sits between diesel and heavy fuel oil. It is usually residual fuel oil thinned with lighter distillates, or a heavy distillate cut, which makes it far easier to pump, store and burn than HSFO.
IHO is used where a plant needs an affordable liquid fuel but cannot handle heavy grades: boilers, kilns, dryers and furnaces in brick, gypsum, lime, asphalt and general industry. Like other Iraqi fuel oils, it is high in sulfur, with the exact level depending on the producer and blend. Depending on its formulation, IHO can differ substantially from heavy fuel oil in viscosity, sulfur, handling temperature and burner requirements.
IHO is produced mainly by private and independent refineries, including in the Kurdistan Region. PETROXIUM works with these suppliers to match viscosity, quantity and delivery terms to each enquiry, with availability and loading confirmed case by case, subject to applicable export requirements.
SPECIFICATIONS
IHO Indicative Technical Parameters
IHO is supplied in different formulations depending on refinery origin, intended use and buyer requirements. The parameters below are indicative only; final values are set by the supplier’s technical data sheet and certificate of analysis.
Industrial heating oil (IHO) · Indicative values · supplier specification
| Property | Test method | Unit | Indicative value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinematic viscosity at 50 °C | ASTM D445 | cSt | 80 – 120 cSt |
| Density at 15 °C | ASTM D4052 | kg/m³ | 930 – 970 kg/m³ |
| Sulfur | ASTM D4294 | % wt | high-sulfur; stated per cargo |
| Flash point (Pensky-Martens) | ASTM D93 | °C | ≥ 60 °C |
| Pour point | ASTM D97 | °C | ≤ 21 °C |
| Water | ASTM D95 | % vol | ≤ 0.5 % vol |
| Ash | ASTM D482 | % wt | ≤ 0.10 % wt |
| Total sediment | ISO 10307-2 | % wt | ≤ 0.10 % wt |
| Carbon residue (micro method) | ISO 10370 | % wt | stated per lot |
| Gross calorific value | ASTM D240 | MJ/kg | ≈ 42.7 (≈ 10,200 kcal/kg) MJ/kg |
Values shown are indicative and vary by refinery, production batch and blend. The final specification and acceptance criteria are agreed for each transaction and verified against the certificate of analysis for the lot.
Product Availability and Quality
IHO is made by several Iraqi producers, and its viscosity and sulfur vary between them. PETROXIUM works with suppliers to match each enquiry to the buyer’s required viscosity, sulfur, quantity and destination. Final specifications and availability are subject to supplier confirmation, laboratory analysis and the agreed contract terms.
APPLICATIONS
Where IHO Is Used
Typical users of IHO; the final grade follows the buyer’s burner and fuel system.
Industrial Boilers
Steam and hot water for factories, food processing, textile and chemical plants with oil-fired boilers.
Burner fuelBrick, Gypsum and Lime Kilns
Burner fuel for kilns and dryers, where a lighter oil is easier to pump and atomise than heavy fuel oil.
KilnsDryersAsphalt Plants
Fuel for aggregate dryer drums at hot-mix asphalt plants, a common use of IHO in regional road building.
Dryer drumsFurnaces and Process Heat
Direct heating for metal, glass and ceramic furnaces and industrial ovens.
FurnacesPower Generation
Suitable grades may be used in compatible oil-fired generating equipment, subject to the manufacturer’s fuel requirements.
GensetsRegional Trading
Traded by the truck load between Iraqi producers and regional distributors who supply local industry.
Road tanker
DELIVERY AND LOADING
IHO Supply and Transportation
IHO moves mainly by road. The route and terms are matched to your location and receiving facilities.
By Road Tanker
The usual way IHO is supplied: insulated road tankers loaded at the producer, for regional and cross-border delivery.
By Vessel
Larger lots can be arranged in bulk from Iraqi ports where volumes and destination justify a vessel.
Handling at Destination
Being lighter than HSFO, IHO is easier to pump and needs less heating; storage and burner preheating depend on climate and equipment.
Export routes
Overland to Jordan
Through Trebil
Road tankers to Jordanian buyers or to Aqaba for onward shipping, on FCA, CPT or DAP terms.
Overland to Turkey
Through Ibrahim Khalil
Road tankers to Turkish buyers or to Mersin and Ceyhan, on FCA, CPT or DAP terms.
By sea
Khor Al-Zubair and Umm Qasr
Bulk lots on FOB, CFR or CIF terms, subject to the agreed loading port.
Supply arrangements may include road tanker transport, bulk terminal handling and export through approved routes, depending on the product, volume and destination. Routes and terms are confirmed for each enquiry.
QUALITY
Independent Inspection
Independent quality and quantity inspection is arranged at loading through mutually agreed companies such as SGS, Intertek or Bureau Veritas, subject to the contract terms.
- Sampling at loadingSamples are drawn from the supplier’s tank and the tankers being loaded.
- Laboratory testingTested for viscosity, density, sulfur, flash point, water and sediment.
- Certificates issuedQuality and quantity certificates are issued before the documents are released.
DOCUMENTS
Export Documentation
Documentation depends on the destination country, applicable regulations and the agreed Incoterms® 2020.
- Certificate of analysis
- Certificates of quality and quantity
- Certificate of origin
- CMR or bill of lading
- Commercial invoice
HOW SOURCING WORKS
From Enquiry to Delivery
Send Your Requirement
Viscosity, quantity, delivery basis and destination.
We Check Supply
Availability and specification are confirmed with qualified Iraqi suppliers.
Offer and Contract
Terms are agreed and the contract is signed with the supplier.
Inspection and Delivery
Independent inspection at loading, then delivery as agreed.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About IHO
What is IHO?
IHO, industrial heating oil, is a fuel oil lighter than HSFO and heavier than diesel. It is typically residual fuel oil thinned with lighter distillates, or a heavy distillate cut, and is used in industrial burners, boilers and kilns. In the Iraqi market it is traded simply as IHO.
How is IHO different from HSFO?
IHO is thinner, often around 80–120 cSt at 50 °C, while HSFO is traded as 180 or 380 cSt. That makes IHO easier to pump and burn, with less heating, which suits smaller industrial users. HSFO is traded mainly in bulk cargoes; IHO mainly by road tanker. See High-Sulfur Fuel Oil for the heavier grades.
How is IHO different from diesel?
Diesel (gasoil) is a clean, desulfurised distillate for engines. IHO is a heavier, darker fuel oil with a higher sulfur content, intended for burners and boilers rather than vehicle engines.
What sulfur content does IHO have?
Iraqi IHO is a high-sulfur fuel, since it is made from sulfur-rich crude streams. The exact sulfur level varies by producer and blend and is stated in the certificate of analysis for each lot.
Does IHO need heating?
Usually much less than HSFO. Depending on the grade and the climate, storage tanks may need light heating in winter, and burners often preheat the oil for good atomisation.
Can IHO be exported from Iraq?
Yes. IHO is moved by road tanker to neighbouring markets such as Jordan and Turkey, and larger lots can be arranged in bulk from Iraqi ports. Each shipment follows the export documentation and requirements that apply to the route and destination.
Which Incoterms and payment methods apply?
They are confirmed for each transaction. Road deliveries are usually agreed on FCA, CPT or DAP terms and sea shipments on FOB, CFR or CIF. Payment terms, such as a documentary letter of credit or other agreed methods, are set in the contract between buyer and supplier.
What is the minimum order?
IHO is usually ordered by the road tanker load, with regular monthly lifting agreed for repeat buyers. Bulk vessel lots depend on availability and destination. Tell us your quantity and we will confirm what is practical.
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