Oil exports from Iraq at 2-year low

[Thom Little]

Iraq's exports of oil hit their lowest level in December since the war, as the country's oil minister resigned Monday in the wake of protests and riots over soaring gas prices and lengthening lines at the pump.

Only 34.4 million barrels were exported in December, or about 1.1 million barrels per day, the lowest average since Iraq resumed exports after the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003, according to figures released Monday.

Almost all the oil was exported from Iraq's southern oil terminals because of continuing sabotage of the country's northern oil facilities.

.......

Oil Minister Ibrahim Bahr al-Uloum said he was quitting over a recent Cabinet decision to raise gas prices between five- and sevenfold to curb black-market sales of relatively inexpensive Iraqi gas in other countries.

.......

"This decision will not serve the benefit of the government and the people," he said. "This decision brings an extra burden on the shoulders of citizens and caused an increase in the prices of all essential materials."



http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0103iraq-oil03.html

[maddezmom]

1. duplicate topic

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2016591&mesg_id=2016591