"Something may be seriously wrong" with Iraq oil production

(from juan cole...)

oh, but not to worry... not now that ahmad chalabi's taking over as iraq oil minister after being thoroughly trounced in the election...

Reuters reports that "average exports in November fell to 1.21 million barrels a day - the lowest level since at least November 2003 - and down from 1.24 million barrels per day last month," indicating that something may be seriously wrong.

The figures for November were below earlier projections and lower than earlier export levels, indicating that something was seriously wrong. Apparently, in the south, tankers are lined up in the Gulf and waiting for 14 days to be loaded.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Chalabi has taken over direct control of the powerful Oil Ministry against the will of the incumbent minister Ibrahim Bahr al-Uloum, officials confirmed.

A ministry spokesman allied to Bahr al-Uloum said the country was facing an oil supply crisis. "Production in the north, centre and south is about to suffocate," he said.

i don't believe chalabi ever really gave much of a rip about being elected... it's power and money he craves and now, as oil minister, he's got both, never mind that nobody voted for him...

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