Iraq's largest refinery, and the industry in south Iraq generally, is making steady progress for necessary growth.
Federal exports hit their second-highest monthly average in history, but KRG sales declined steeply in the aftermath of Kirkuk upheaval.
Iraq announces record exports and oil sector development plans as it agrees to an extension of OPEC production quotas through 2018.
The Oil Ministry is considering a pipeline to link Kirkuk oil fields with domestic refineries, and issuing a tender for rebuilding the export pipeline to Turkey.
With major Kirkuk oil fields offline due to Baghdad-KRG conflicts, Iraq is looking to compensate with rising production from southern fields.
In an upcoming effort to attract investors to nine exploration blocks, Iraq will scrap its signature technical service contracts.
By trucking crude to Iran, the Oil Ministry would reduce dependence on the KRG-controlled export system and open a new outlet for Kirkuk oil that is currently stranded.
After regaining control of Kirkuk, Baghdad is looking for new outlets for northern oil production while reducing its reliance on the KRG.
Exports from all of Iraq were just over 3.8 million bpd, a slight decrease from September, but sales from the Basra Gulf grew.
Days after the federal North Oil Company restarted exports through the KRG-controlled pipeline, the Oil Ministry ordered a stop.
