Pipeline attack in northern Iraq halts oil exports

TIKRIT, Iraq, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Unknown gunmen bombed a major oil pipeline in northern Iraq, halting the country's oil exports to the port of Ceyhan, south-eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey, a police source said Thursday.

The attack took place in the early morning hours when insurgents blew up the oil pipeline near the area of Tulool al-Baj, some 250 km north of Baghdad, the security source from Salahudin province, told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The blast struck the main pipeline that convey crude oil from Iraq's largest refinery in the town of Baiji, some 200 km north of Baghdad, heading north to the Turkish port of Ceyhan, the source said.

The attack cause a huge fire at the scene and resulted in an oil leak, prompting authorities to halt the oil pumping, the source added.

Iraq's oil pipelines have been frequently attacked by insurgents since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

Iraq exports between 450,000 to 500,000 barrels per day from the northern oil fields of Kirkuk. The country depends on oil revenues for nearly 95 percent of its budget.

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