[R-G] Iraq oil, power, worker attacks continue

[Anthony Fenton]

Thanks: http://iraqoilreport.com/

Iraq oil, power, worker attacks continue

Published: Dec. 6, 2007 at 6:21 PM
http://www.upi.com/International_Security/Energy/Briefing/2007/12/06/ 
iraq_oil_power_worker_attacks_continue/6244/

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- There have been nearly 600 pipeline  
attacks in Iraq since March 2003, though recent security strategies  
have allowed additional flow in the northern pipeline.

Attacks are also increasing in the power sector, especially among  
workers being targeted, according to an assessment from March 2003 to  
Nov. 17, 2007, made for United Press International by an expert in  
threats and vulnerabilities to the energy sector worldwide.

Iraq's oil pipelines have been attacked at least 576 times, according  
to the expert, who analyzes data for UPI on the condition of  
anonymity, and oil fields and wells 45 times.

There have also been 69 attacks on refineries, 508 attacks on tanker  
trucks, 6 on maritime tankers and one on a train tanker car.

At least 635 oil workers have been killed, wounded, kidnapped (and  
either released or killed) or attempted kidnapped.

Iraq's dual northern pipelines, which begin in Kirkuk and take an  
elongated route to Turkey, have been the major target. It was built  
with a total capacity of around 1.7 million barrels per day, but  
regular attacks since the war has kept is mostly out of commission.

Recent repairs and a new security plan has allowed it to start  
working again, part of the reason Iraq has been able to increase  
recent production from a little more than 2 million bpd to nearly 2.4  
million.

At least 1,211 workers in Iraq's power sector have been targeted like  
their colleagues in oil.

There have been 651 attacks on distribution and transmission lines  
and towers, 66 attacks on thermal power stations and five on  
hydroelectric power stations and 13 on power substations.

--

Ben Lando, UPI Energy Editor

--

(blando at upi.com)