Oil exports boom as attacks on pipelines cease

Profiteers: How high up the food chain?
The back flow of oil to Beiji also increases the opportunity for criminals to divert oil for the black market, said Capt. Adam Lackey of Trafalgar, Ind., a commander in the 187th Infantry Regiment.

And there’s no telling how high in government those who profit sit, he said.

“The web goes all the way to Baghdad and back, when we’re talking about who takes money and who benefits,” said Lackey, who works with city officials in Beiji and Siniyah, both near the refinery, to help secure the oil infrastructure.

Whether the break in attacks is a sign of progress or only periodic calm, oil is flowing fast.

This week, oil minister Assem Jihad said 1.6 million barrels per day was being exported from the southern port of Basra while Iraq’s North Oil Company was pumping 300,000 barrels per day from Kirkuk to the Turkish port of Ceyhan.

“With the new plans adopted by the ministry, we hope to add 200,000 to 300,000 barrels per day before the end of this year,” Jihad told the Associated Press on Wednesday.

Anxious moments
It’s a nervous moment for Iraqi and U.S. officials, both of whom realize that the eventual departure of U.S. soldiers hinges on economic recovery and improved security.

Collier, who will soon return to the United States when another military unit takes control of northern Iraq, said he hopes the flow will continue. But he’s hesitant.

Whether the attacks have stopped due to increased security measures, higher expectations among Iraqis, or a combination of factors, he can’t tell.

“It’s like you’re in a fun house of mirrors and you’re playing chess,” Collier said. “You may be making absolutely the right move. You may be doing something really stupid. You just don’t know.”

MORE FROM MIDEAST & N. AFRICA

Mideast & N. Africa Section Front

A lost son returns to Iraq killing fields Iraqi counterterror officer falls to his prey Dubai ruler's ambition sowed seeds of crisis Bad teeth tormented ancient Egyptians Mideast & N. Africa Section Front   Add Mideast & N. Africa headlines to your news reader: