Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 22 /Trend, A.Badalova/
Iraq's oil production is expected to rise in the fourth quarter of 2013, Global Energy Studies Centre's (CGES) report said.
According to the report, the country's oil output fell to just under 2.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in September, which was the lowest level since February 2012 and a 425,000-bpd year-on-year decrease.
"This was due to the installation of a central metering manifold platform (CMMP), which disrupted exports from the Basra oil terminal in the Gulf, since a lack of storage facilities means production is determined by Iraq's ability to export," the report said.
September's exports of Basra oil dropped to 1.8 million bpd, bringing total Iraqi oil exports to just below 2.1 million bpd, CGES stressed.
At the same time CGES stressed that Iraq has been working to increase its export capacity by adding five single-point mooring systems in the first phase of the country's export expansion plan, but not making all operational.
"Installation of the CMMP attaches two of the single-point systems to the southern pipeline system, contributing a further 1.8 mbpd of export capacity," CGES said.
With export capacity increased and first production from the Majnoon field and others, CGES expects Iraqi production to rise in the fourth quarter of this year.
According to BP, Iraq's proved oil reserves amounted to 150 billion barrels in early 2013. The country's oil production increased by 11.2 percent to 3.115 million bpd in 2012.
The main oil fields in Iraq are located in the south of the country. They are Rumaila, Zubair, Nahr Umr, Majnoon and West Qurna. At least 80 per cent of the oil produced in Iraq is exported.