The amount of oil exported from Iraq per day is higher now than it was before the war, providing further evidence of progress in Iraq. At the beginning of 2007, production was about 1.9 million barrels of oil per day. That number is now up to 2.3 million.

The IEA said Iraqi crude production is now running at 2.3 million barrels per day, compared with 1.9 million barrels at the start of this year.

It puts the rise down to the improving security situation in Iraq, especially in the north of the country…

In recent years this pipeline has been out of action for long periods due to sabotage attacks.

Since the summer there has been a marked downturn in all forms of violence in Iraq.

Iraq could be looking at a production rate of 3 million bpd by next year, and possibly 6 million bpd in six years. Via Allah, Kurdistan hopes to be producing 1 million bpd itself within five years.