UPDATED. Data (much of it provided by the Iraqi oil ministry) continues to roll in on the impact of system disruption by global guerrilla activity in Iraq. It indicates that the attacks have been ongoing, effective, and costly. Here's a wrap-up:
- The total cost of infrastructure sabotage on the Iraqi oil industry since March 2003 is $7 billion.
- Due to attacks on refineries, Iraq is forced to import half of its gasoline. Total refinery capability is 14 m liters a day. Sabotage limits that to 9 m liters due to power cuts and direct sabotage. Gasoline imports cost the country $200 million a month. Imports are trucked in from Turkey, Kuwait, Syria, and Jordan. Bunkering is rampant. A recent inspection of a products pipeline south of the Dora refinery found 70 holes drilled by saboteurs and thieves.
- Efforts to upgrade Iraqi oil production are stalled due to a lack of security.
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