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Iraq expects to resume pumping Kirkuk crude to Turkey soon
Iraq expects to resume pumping crude oil from its northern Kirkuk oilfields to the Turkish port of Ceyhan within the next 48 hours, Iraq's Oil Ministry said on Tuesday.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:41 January 23, 2008
Baghdad: Iraq expects to resume pumping crude oil from its northern Kirkuk oilfields to the Turkish port of Ceyhan within the next 48 hours, Iraq's Oil Ministry said on Tuesday.
Iraq halted pumping last week after the oilfields were hit by a power cut. Engineers at the field said on Monday that electricity had been restored and that they were awaiting instructions to resume the oil flow.
But Oil Ministry spokesman Asim Jihad said sabotage of one pipe and leakage in another had caused a further delay.
"The resumption of pumping of crude from Kirkuk oilfields is expected to resume within 48 hours," he said.
"The reason for the delay is the sabotage of one of the pipelines. There is also leakage in another pipeline which is part of the network that pumps the crude to Turkey," he said.
The halt in pumping has raised doubts about Iraq's ability to meet commitments to sell more than 300,000 barrels per day in term contracts. Some in the industry remain sceptical that Iraq can sustain a regular flow to Ceyhan.
The northern pipeline has been hit by sabotage and technical problems for much of the time since the US-led invasion in 2003.
A shipping source said on Monday that 400,000 to 500,000 barrels remained at Ceyhan.
Iraq's Electricity Ministry has been unable to guarantee an uninterrupted supply of electricity to the country's oilfields and refineries in recent weeks.
Baiji, Iraq's largest oil refinery, was forced to shut down for two days last week after it was hit by a power cut.
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