But the respite is likely to be short-lived amid confusion over the timing of export infrastructure work that may curtail both exports and production in September.

Iraqi Oil Minister ‘Abd al Karim al-Luaibi said on 3 September that production had started from the Gharaf oil field in Dhi Qar province at a rate of 35,000 b/d. The field is being developed by a consortium led by Malaysia’s Petronas in partnership with Japan’s Japex and the state-owned South Oil Company. It had been due to start up in mid-2013 at a rate of 50,000 b/d and ramp up to its plateau of 230,000 b/d by 2017. (CONTINUED - 1889 WORDS)