An attack against the northern export pipeline had suspended Iraq's Kirkuk crude oil shipment to the Turkish Ceyhan port since Wednesday, an Iraqi Oil Ministry spokesman said Tuesday.
Assem Jihad also said engineers of the North Oil Co. repaired the damaged part of the export pipeline in the al-Jazeerah area near the ancient city of Hatra in Mosul province. He said that pumping of Kirkuk crude via the pipeline is expected to resume soon.
"Pumping of Kirkuk crude oil halted because of an act of sabotage against the export pipeline," Jihad told Dow Jones Newswires.
Kirkuk crude oil flow to Ceyhan has been suspended since noon local time Wednesday, shipping agents in the Mediterranean port said.
Iraq exports an average of 350,000 to 400,000 barrels a day via the northern export pipeline.