More oil exports expected from Iraq

April exports of crude oil from Kirkuk in northern Iraq to Turkish ports are expected to increase to 510,000 barrels per day, schedules indicate. The loading schedule for April indicates daily exports of Kirkuk crude should reach 510,000 bpd, compared with around 425,000 bpd for March, reports Bloomberg News. Shipments of Kirkuk crude oil from the Turkish port of Ceyhan were disrupted several times since November because of inclement weather, explosions or technical problems, the news service adds. Exports of Kirkuk crude by February were reported at 369,447 bpd. Iraqi Oil Minister Abdul Kareem al-Luaibi had said Baghdad was moving forward with talks about the possible development and rehabilitation of the Kirkuk oil field. State-run North Oil Co. started limited production of the field after a 2009 licensing round. In February, BP was considering efforts to bring the capacity of the field to around 700,000 barrels per day within five years. Iraq is expected to put around a dozen oil and natural gas blocks up for auction in its fourth licensing round in May.