The crude oil production in Iraq is running at about 2,300,000 barrels per day compared to the 1,900,000 at the start of this year according to the IEA. That can be attributed to the improving security situation in the country, with the northern part being more specific.
However, the IEA still warns that there is still the threat of attacks on Iraq’s oil facilities.
According to a poll taken by BBC, over eighty-five percent of the residents of Basra located in southern Iraq say that since 2003, British troops have had a negative impact to the area. A BBC Newsnight survey shows that fifty-six percent believe that the presence of British troops increased the level of militia violence.
In the latest issue of the Oil Market Report, the increase of Iraqi oil production is attributed to improved security on the main oil pipeline. The pipeline comes from the oilfields of northern Iraq to the city of Ceyhan, located in Turkey.
The pipeline has been out of commission for long durations due to attacks by sabotage.
Analysts add that the increase of US troops in Baghdad along with Sunni militants turning on Al-Qaeda also attributes to increased oil production.
This Sunday, the British forces are supposed to hand security control of Basra to the Iraqi forces. According to BBC, improvements of security in Iraq are leading to many dividends in the country.
While the level of violence has decreased, it’s still there. The violence remains a vital threat. Earlier in the week, three car bombs went off in Amara. Over thirty have been killed while over a hundred have been injured.