BAGHDAD: Iraq is OPEC’s (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) second-largest producer. The EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration) estimates that Iraq’s crude oil production rose by 30,000 bpd (barrels per day) to 4.48 MMbpd (million barrels per day) in October 2016—compared to the previous month. Iraq’s crude oil production was at 4.25 MMbpd in October 2015. Production rose 0.7% month-over-month and 5.4% year-over-year.
Iraq’s crude oil exports averaged between 102 MMbbls (million barrels) and 104 MMbbls per month between August 2016 and October 2016. Its crude oil exports to China, India, and the US fell significantly in October 2016. On the other hand, crude oil exports to South Korea and other smaller importers rose for the same period. Iraq’s Ministry of Oil reported that the revenue for crude oil accounts for 95% of Iraq’s budget. Read How Are Oil Prices Squeezing OPEC Members’ Budgets? to learn more.
On October 25, 2016, Iraq’s oil minister said that Iraq won’t participate in OPEC’s plans to cap production. The country plans to produce more oil to fight militants. On November 20, Iraq’s oil minister said that he was optimistic about a deal in OPEC’s meeting on November 30. For more on OPEC’s meeting, read Part 1 of this series.
