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Iraq's fuel oil exports head for record year after Oct volumes leap

Iraq's fuel oil exports are on track to hit alltime highs this year after the nation ramped up shipments in October as domestic need eased even as output rose, according to industry sources and shiptracking data.

The increase in exports of the residue fuel will support oil earnings for OPEC's second-largest manufacturer in spite of stagnant unrefined deliveries this year due to production caps under quotas set by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, or OPEC+.

Higher exports from Iraq will likewise contribute to global supply and ease elevated rates in Asia while lowering feed stock costs at refineries.

Iraq's fuel oil exports are on track to breach 18 million metric tons (380,000 barrels daily) in 2024, a record-high yearly volume, according to calculations based on information from Kpler and LSEG, going beyond in 2015's record of more than 14 million heaps.

Exports went beyond 2.15 million metric tons in October, the highest monthly volume on record, based upon Kpler and LSEG information.

Iraq's fuel oil is generally high-sulphur and straight-run, which can be processed in refineries into higher-value items such as diesel. The majority of Iraq's fuel oil freights have actually landed in Singapore and India.

Iraq state refiner SOMO did not immediately react to a. ask for comment.

Iraq's October fuel oil exports came amidst a seasonal decline. in domestic need of about 100,000 barrels per day from the. previous month, stated Palash Jain, Middle East oil market. expert at FGE.

Given lowered domestic demand and greater HSFO (high-sulfur. fuel oil) cracks, increasing fuel oil exports in October was. economically beneficial for Iraq, he stated.

The refining margin, or fracture, in Asia for producing 380-cst. high sulphur fuel oil reached discount rates of. nearly $2 a barrel at the end of October, the narrowest in more. than two years, LSEG information revealed.

Discount rates broadened to more than $5.50 a ton today as more. supply replenishment from numerous regions, including the Middle. East and the West, was expected, traders said.

Production at Iraq's 140,000-bpd Karbala refinery likewise. buoyed exports, industry sources stated.

Iraqi fuel oil exports are conveniently heading for a record. this year following increased domestic production from the. resuming of Karbala refinery, said Roslan Khasawneh, senior. oil expert at Kpler.

A Middle East refining source said Iraqi exports going. forward would also depend upon whether the Karbala refinery runs. its secondary systems at full rates.

Iraq has actually been suppressing crude exports to compensate for. overproduction under OPEC+ quotas, processing more crude into. products at its refineries, stated LSEG Oil Research study.

Our company believe that in order to remain certified due to its. crude over-production, Iraq has actually upped its products output, stated. Emril Jamil, a senior oil analyst at LSEG.

He expects Iraqi fuel oil exports to remain above 2 million. loads in November, while FGE's Jain said volumes might reduce. from October highs in the next number of months when Iraq starts. winter season stockpiling for heating demand.

(source: Reuters)