A pipeline carrying Iraqi oil from Kirkuk to the Turkish export terminal at Ceyhan was shut down because of a fire on 27 August. The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but the authorities suspected sabotage. Iraq’s Ministry of Oil said that it expected Turkey to open a parallel pipeline to allow the resumption of exports. Deliveries through the pipeline have averaged 300,000 b/d in recent weeks. The pipeline is frequently targeted by militants.