Iraqi government says crude oil exports in south down 50

Iraqi government says crude oil exports in south down 50%

New York (Platts)--11Aug2004


Iraq's interim government Tuesday said it would hit back with an iron fist
against "gangs" that had forced one crude oil pipeline to shut down in
southern Iraq and cut exports by half. "These gangs have additionally allowed
its members to force workers in the Southern Oil fields to shut down one of
its pipelines resulting in a 50% decrease in exportation and a daily financial
loss of $30-mil," the National Security Council said. "If the entire pipeline
is blocked, Iraq will suffer from a daily $60-mil financial loss, finances
that would otherwise be used to feed the people, pay their salaries, their
pensions, and reconstruct and rebuild their country," it said. "In response to
these criminal and destructive acts, your government has decided to hit back
with an iron fist all these desperate criminals that are attempting to hinder
the bright future of the people of Iraq." Iraqi oil exports from the southern
port of Basra were disrupted Aug after Southern Oil Co workers were threatened
by the Medhi Army loyal to radical Shi'ite Muslim cleric Moqtada Sadr.

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