BAGHDAD: Oil exports from Iraq’s southern oil hub of Basra partly recovered on Monday to 1.08 million barrels per day after disruption by a sandstorm over the past two days, a shipper said.
Exports had fallen to 720,000 barrels per day on Sunday from 1.68 million bpd on Friday as the sandstorm reduced visibility, said the shipper, who asked not to be named.
"Today (Monday) we have clear weather, but the problem is that we have only one vessel loading. In addition we have low crude storage," the shipper said. "Today and tomorrow we will be able to continue with the regular pumping rates."
On Saturday, oil exports from Basra were 1.128 million bpd, the shipper added.
Exports from Basra can fluctuate widely due to weather conditions or technical problems, while repeated bomb attacks have hampered crude flow from Kirkuk fields in recent months.
Iraq’s oil exports rose in May to 1.9 million barrels per day from 1.767 million bpd the month before.
