Iraq blast halts Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline flows

Targeted: Export line rocked by explosion: reports

Amirki/Wikimedia

related stories

Bill Lehane ,

News Wires

 06 August 2012 10:47 GMT

An explosion overnight on the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, which carries about a quarter of Iraqi crude exports, has reportedly knocked out flows with repairs expected to take up to ten days.

The blast occurred in Mardin province, north of Turkey's border with Syria, Turkish energy ministry officials told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

The outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) was behind the attack on the Mediterranean port terminal, according to Firat news agency, which is close to the rebels.

A fire caused by the explosion continued to burn on Monday, security sources said.

Turkish state television TRT also reported the blast and attributed it to the rebels, Associated Press reported.

The blast comes just days after Kurdistan said it would move to resume crude exports…

Become an Upstream member!

Membership includes a subscription to our weekly newspaper providing in-depth news from the energy industry, plus full-access to this site and its archives. Still not convinced? Try our free trial.

Already a member?

Login

Upstream share price index