Baku, Azerbaijan, April 9
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
Oil exports from Iraq to Turkey were suspended, according to Iraqi Oil Minister Abdul Karim Luaibi.
Iraqi minister made these remarks in Ankara at a meeting with Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz, Turkish TRT Haber TV channel reported on April 9.
Abdul Karim Luaibi said the reason for suspension of oil exports from Iraq to Turkey was the attempts by terrorists to blow up the Kirkuk-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline.
It is expected that in the coming weeks Iraq will resume oil exports to Turkey, the minister said.
Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) said some 21.4 percent out of the total volume of oil imported by Turkey in 2013, came from Iraq, 15.3 percent from Iran and 14.2 percent from Russia.
The remaining 49.1 percent was imported from Saudi Arabia, Libya, Greece and Nigeria.
Turkey reduced oil imports in January 2014, by 19.9 percent compared to December, 2013 - to 1,251,758 tons, according to a message posted on Wednesday on the EMRA website.
Translated by E.A.
Edited by C.N.
