Iraq oil exports drop slightly as price of oil stays high…

Iraqi oil exports have dropped by 17,000 barrels last month mainly due to lower output from the northern oil fields of Kirkuk, an Oil Ministry statement said, Azzaman reports.

New data on Iraq oil revenues suggests that country's government will reap an even larger than expected windfall this year — as much as $70 billion — according to the special U.S. auditor for Iraq, Pauline Jelinek reports for The Associated Press. New figures from Iraq's government show revenue from exports hit $5.83 billion in December — more than $1 billion over what was previously reported by the government, said Stuart Bowen, special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction.