A power cut followed by strong winds have shut down Iraq’s southern oil terminals since Saturday afternoon, leaving tankers backed up in the Gulf waiting to load Iraqi crude, an oil shipping agent in Iraq said Monday.
The power failure on Iraq’s tattered electrical grid prevented oil from flowing and high winds and rough seas have kept the massive oil tankers from pulling alongside Iraq’s two offshore oil terminals at Basra and Khor Al Amaya, said the agent. Both Iraqi terminals remained closed Monday.
The delays have curbed Iraq’s oil export lifeline and compounded the wait from previous weather and power-related shutdowns, he said. Three tankers berthed at the terminals had been unable to complete their loading and depart, and seven more are anchored in the Gulf waiting to take on Iraqi crude, the agent said.
