Kurds Pumping Oil

[harry2299]

KIRKUK, Feb 03, 2011 (AFP) - Iraqi Kurdistan has begun pumping crude to an export pipeline to test disused infrastructure, after the autonomous region's premier said exports would restart soon, a source said on Thursday.

"The pumping operations gradually started just before midnight, and 10,500 barrels were pumped experimentally because pipelines were non-functioning," said an official from state-owned North Oil Company, on condition of anonymity.

The autonomous Kurdistan region halted exports in October 2009 after a dispute with the central government over payments.

The flow on the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline connecting north Iraq to Turkey and the Mediterranean "will gradually increase depending on the pumping operations in the line and production operations of oil fields," the official said.

He added that crude would be pumped "on a regular basis" through the pipeline, but did not say how much.

Iraqi Kurdistan is preparing to resume oil exports "soon," Kurdistan's prime minister Barham Saleh said on Wednesday.

"Work is going on right now regarding resuming oil exports soon," Saleh told AFP. "Companies have started conducting tests of the pumps to restart operations."

Baghdad and authorities in Kurdistan have argued over payments, revenue sharing and the central government's refusal to recognise Kurdish oil contracts.

But last month, the two sides appeared to reach an agreement whereby Baghdad agreed to pay for the expenses of oil companies working in the region and exports were to have resumed on Tuesday.

Oil revenues account for the lion's share of Iraq's government income.

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20110203T115455ZPXE42

[Alonzo]

This sounds like good news.

[harry2299]

I think this is one of the things DOC31 was talking about in his post.

[wildinar]

Thanks for the post

[Darin]

I think they're pumping oil, but not exporting it. Sort of a big difference.

They've filled their pipes and are ready to export, but they haven't done so.

With that said, Kurdistan must be expecting some disagreements to be resolved really soon....

[Upgradable]

Sounds like they're testing the integrity of the pipelines and pumping equipment in preparation to begin full production. This really looks like a positive sign that it's going to be happening soon!! I'm so glad to see forward movement SOMEWHERE in Iraq!

[lechesuerte]

Nice ..I love it ... Seat that Gov and get to work. Move it or lose it!

[glennmorr]

Link to a new article on Kurdistan:

http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/tag/kurdistan/

"GO RV"

Alaska Dinar