Iraq's May crude exports average below 1.5 mil b/d, down from Apr

Dubai (Platts)--30May2006

Iraq's oil exports for April will average just under 1.5 million b/d,
down from the average of 1.619 million b/d in April, because of lower loading
rates and production levels from southern oil fields, Iraqi oil industry
sources said Tuesday.
Persian Gulf Basra and Khor al-Amaya average exports are expected at
1.48-1.49 million b/d, the industry sources said. "It is due to lower loading
rates," a source added.
The slow down in loading has pushed some crude volumes into June. The
State Oil Marketing Organization is expected to roll over some 6-7 million
barrels from May to June, up from the 2-3 million barrels rolled over from
April to May.
Poor weather has generally caused export disruptions from the south. But
oil ministry officials have also often expressed concern that output from the
southern fields, falling because of a lack of maintenance, was hindering
exports volumes.
Iraq was also forced to halt operations at Khor al-Amaya last Friday
because of a fire that broke out while contractors were working on a pumping
system at the terminal. The blaze was put out the same day and between seven
and nine Iraqis were injured at the terminal.

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