Iraq says all oil fields ready to resume exports within days

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Oil Ministry said Saturday it is ready to resume exports from all fields within the next few days, following contacts with major shipping and energy companies to arrange export contracts.

Ministry spokesperson Sahib Bazoon said the ministry has been in communication with carriers and major companies and that “the door is open to all companies,” without disclosing names. “Within the next few days, we will resume oil exports, and all fields are ready for export,” he said, adding that efforts to diversify export outlets would continue to generate revenues and support stability.

The announcement follows a catastrophic March for Iraqi oil revenues. Exports collapsed to 18.6 million barrels last month — generating just over $1.95 billion — compared with more than 99 million barrels in February, after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the regional conflict cut off Iraq’s main southern export route. The disruption forced production cuts and a scramble for alternatives, including increased flows through the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline and the first shipments of Iraqi fuel oil through Syria’s Baniyas port to European markets.

Oil revenues account for around 90 percent of Iraq’s state income, making the restoration of full export capacity one of the government’s most urgent post-conflict priorities.