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Iraq to suppress oil exports to compensate for surpassing OPEC+ quota

Iraq will minimize its crude exports to 3.3 million barrels a day (bpd) in the coming months to make up for surpassing its OPEC+ quota since January, the oil ministry said on Monday, a promise that would cut deliveries by 130,000 bpd from last month.

OPEC's second-largest producer Iraq pumped substantially more in January and February than an output target developed in January when numerous members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+), including Iraq, consented to support the oil market.

OPEC+, whose de facto leader is Saudi Arabia, has highlighted the significance of compliance with the vowed cuts even as oil prices have actually rallied this year. Brent crude on Monday traded above $86 a barrel, the highest because November.

Iraq's oil ministry stated in a statement on Monday it was dedicated to voluntary cuts concurred with OPEC+, which restrict it to producing 4 million bpd.

In place for the first quarter, the voluntary cuts have given that been extended to completion of June.

Secondary sources, which offer data on OPEC+ production, reported Iraq's output at 4.2 million bpd in February.

Of this, Iraq exported an average 3.43 million bpd in February, the oil ministry said previously this month, meaning Monday's promise amounts to a cut of 130,000 bpd from last month's rate.

Iraq said in February it would evaluate its production and deal with any excess output above its OPEC+ cuts.

That statement followed a check out to Iraq by Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, throughout which Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani told him it was necessary for the 2 countries to align their views to keep stability in the oil market.

The OPEC+ voluntary cuts in place up until June are the latest in a series of curbs by the group because late 2022 to support the market in the face of expectations weak economic growth will When supply is increasing from producers beyond, limit oil need OPEC+.

(source: Reuters)