Oil expert Hamza Al-Jawahiri said on Wednesday that Iraq’s crude oil exports have stabilized at around 3 million barrels per day, while some sales to foreign tankers are being made at discounts of up to $28 per barrel compared to international market prices.
Al-Jawahiri explained that Iraqi oil production has fully recovered after normal output levels returned to oil fields through advanced injection operations.
He said total exports have risen to about 3 million barrels per day, with shipments moving through southern export ports, the Turkish route, and tankers heading to Syria’s Banias port.
According to Al-Jawahiri, foreign companies and tanker operators, particularly those passing through the Strait of Hormuz, are purchasing Iraqi crude at discounted prices compared to global benchmarks.
He noted that the discounts can reach as much as $28 per barrel and are intended to protect Iraq from legal and financial liabilities linked to geopolitical tensions and maritime risks.
Al-Jawahiri added that under this arrangement, Iraq does not bear responsibility for any losses, additional costs, war-related risks, or higher marine insurance premiums that tanker operators may face during transportation.
He said the pricing strategy helps ensure the continued flow of Iraqi oil exports while reducing potential exposure to risks associated with regional instability and international shipping routes.
