Iraqi oil exports halted to Ceyhan as violence escalates

Dubai (Platts)--17Nov2004

Iraqi oil exports to the Turkish Mediterranean port of Ceyhan have stopped
following a series of attacks against the country's energy infrastructure as
US forces engage Iraqi insurgents in Sunni Muslim-dominated areas. "Nothing is
being pumped to the north," an Iraqi industry source said. 

"Despite what is being said, exports have been halted." Shipping agents based in Ceyhan also
confirmed this, saying that it was unclear when exports could resume after
attacks against the country's infrastructure. "There has been no pumping for a
week," a shipping agent said. "We don't know when it will resume." As US
forces battled for control of the Sunni stronghold of Fallujah, insurgents
launched what appeared to be coordinated attacks against oilfields, pipelines
and refineries. The attackers detonated four bombs Sunday at oil wells near
Kirkuk, sparking fires. The wells targeted were at al-Khabaza, 30 km (20
miles) from Kirkuk. Each well reportedly was producing some 10,000-15,000 b/d
prior to the attacks.

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