Iraq’s SOMO says spike in crude exports to US driven by logistics, not policy shift

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s State Organization for Marketing of Oil said Sunday that a recent increase in crude exports to the United States was caused by temporary logistical factors and does not reflect a change in Iraq’s oil marketing policy.

SOMO Director General Ali Nizar al-Shatari said shipments to the U.S. rose to about 435,000 barrels per day last week because several cargoes were loaded within a short period. He said the timing was linked to transport schedules, refinery demand and port conditions.

“This does not reflect a change in marketing policy or approved allocations,” al-Shatari said, adding that the concentration of shipments “may give the impression of higher weekly exports,” while monthly volumes remain within levels allocated to U.S. companies.

He said monthly allocations of Iraqi crude to U.S. firms are still below contractual ceilings because of limited quantities available for export.

Al-Shatari also dismissed reports suggesting Iraq has ranked among the top U.S. crude suppliers, saying such claims rely on short-term data that distort the picture. He said quarterly figures from tracking firms such as Kpler show Iraq ranked eighth among U.S. crude suppliers in the last quarter of 2025, averaging about 3 million barrels per month. U.S. Energy Information Administration data for July placed Iraq seventh, he said.

Higher rankings in some weekly reports are “due to the concentration of cargo arrivals over short periods and do not reflect the real ranking based on monthly and quarterly averages,” he said.

Al-Shatari said Iraq will continue supplying U.S. companies in line with its approved marketing policy, similar to other markets, particularly in Asia and Europe, with volumes varying based on prices and contractual terms.

He stressed that the recent increase “does not represent a new strategic direction toward the U.S. market,” describing it as the result of shipment timing and logistical conditions. He said SOMO’s strategy remains focused on diversifying markets, maintaining balance and ensuring stable exports that protect Iraq’s oil revenues.

Stable exports to the United States, he added, help strengthen economic ties between Baghdad and Washington and could encourage greater U.S. investment in Iraq’s energy sector.