Voices of Iraq reported that Assem Jihad, Iraq’s Oil Ministry spokesman, stated that Iraqi oil production and exports are increasing because of recent security improvements.

Mr. Jihad indicated that Iraqi oil production currently stands at 2.5 million barrels per day, of which two million barrels are exported through the Gulf. He also noted that security improvements in northern Iraq and a decrease in terrorist attacks on northern pipelines have allowed for increased production. In the northern fields, production has reached 500,000 barrels per day, exported through the Turkish port of Ceyhan. Iraqi losses were due to terrorist attacks on the oil pipelines.

Jihad added that the Iraqi Oil Ministry is reviewing plans to build new oil refineries and develop existing ones in order to stem the current shortage of oil-derived products that are currently imported from neighboring countries. The Iraqi Oil Ministry has signed contracts with foreign and Arab companies to drill and develop new oil wells and to build and develop new refineries.

According to the International Energy Agency, Iraq’s current production of crude oil is 2.3 million barrels per day, compared to 1.9 million barrels at the beginning of the year. The agency attributed this increase to recent security improvements in the country.