Oil exports from Iraq's southern terminals have edged lower so far in March, according to loading data and an industry source, although not as much as expected, potentially raising questions over the country's compliance with OPEC production cuts.
A March loading program had pointed to southern exports from OPEC's second-largest producer falling to 3 million barrels per day (MMbbl/d), which a source familiar with the matter said was related to Iraqi efforts to comply with OPEC cuts.
But exports from southern Iraq—the outlet for most of the country's crude—in the first 14 days of March have averaged 3.25 MMbbl/d, according to shipping data tracked by Reuters and by an industry source.
RELATED: OPEC Chief Dismisses Oil Price War
Two Iraqi oil officials said March 15 the rate in the first half of March was 3.2 MMbbl/d. Whichever is used, exports remain closer to February's 3.27 MMbbl/d than to the rate implied by the March loading program.
The lack of a large further drop in exports could add to skepticism in the market about compliance with the OPEC supply cut deal by Iraq, which in negotiations had argued it should be exempt due to a need for cash to fight Islamic State militants.
"Exports look similar to February," the industry source who tracks Iraq's southern shipments said. "To be fair, the market wasn't expecting them to cut."
The OPEC cut started on Jan. 1. Iraq says it is committed to the deal and another industry source said Iraq had cut production by more than the 210,000 bbl/d reduction it was required to under the OPEC accord.
It is not possible to draw firm conclusions about production from a few weeks of export data, not least because the deal by OPEC and other independent producers applies to output, not exports.
Iraq's exports can be volatile day-to-day, affected by bad weather and technical snags among other factors.
The bulk of Iraq's oil is exported via the southern terminals. Smaller amounts are shipped from northern Iraq via Ceyhan in Turkey.
RELATED: Oil-Rich Kurdish Territories Will Remain Flashpoints Of Conflict
Northern exports have averaged about 430,000 bbl/d so far in March, shipping data shows, down from about 600,000 bbl/d in February according to a Reuters calculation based on Iraqi figures.
This could be related to a plan to trim exports of Kirkuk crude to deliver fuel for local needs and to a brief stoppage in flows when Kurdish forces stormed an oil facility in protest at the Iraqi government's oil policy.
Recommended Reading
Keeping it Simple: Antero Stays on Profitable Course in 1Q
2024-04-26 - Bucking trend, Antero Resources posted a slight increase in natural gas production as other companies curtailed production.
Range Resources Holds Production Steady in 1Q 2024
2024-04-24 - NGLs are providing a boost for Range Resources as the company waits for natural gas demand to rebound.
BP Pursues ‘25-by-‘25’ Target to Amp Up LNG Production
2024-02-15 - BP wants to boost its LNG portfolio to 25 mtpa by 2025 under a plan dubbed “25-by-25,” upping its portfolio by 9% compared to 2023, CEO Murray Auchincloss said during the company’s webcast with analysts.
Mitsubishi Makes Investment in MidOcean Energy LNG
2024-04-02 - MidOcean said Mitsubishi’s investment will help push a competitive long-term LNG growth platform for the company.
Mexico Pacific Appoints New CEO Bairstow
2024-04-15 - Sarah Bairstow joined Mexico Pacific Ltd. in 2019 and is assuming the CEO role following Ivan Van der Walt’s resignation.