Reuters reported that Iraqi oil exports were 2.101 million barrels per day in September compared to 2.189 million barrels per day in August.

Mr Falah Alamri head of the State Oil Marketing Organization said that daily average exports in September from the southern port of Basra were 1.767 million barrels per day while exports from northern Kirkuk were 334,000 barrels per day.

Iraq expects to start using one of three new offshore floating export terminals in the Gulf on January 1, a major step in its plans to build up export capacity to handle growing production from its southern oilfields.

Mr Alamri said that "Iraqi exports are expected to increase remarkably to higher levels right at the start of next year, helped by having the first floating terminal to handle more exports operations."

Average daily exports since the start of the year to September were 2.18 million barrels per day. The average selling price of Iraqi crude in September was around USD 105 per barrel.

OPEC member Iraq is trying to overcome crude export infrastructure limitations to achieve its ambitious plans to tap into the world's fourth largest oil reserves and join the ranks of major exporting countries.

(Sourced from Reuters)