Iraqi oil exports increased by 2 per cent in February compared with the previous month, rising to an average of 2.6 million barrels a day (b/d), according to the country’s Oil Ministry.

Exports from Iraq’s southern terminals were reported at 2.3 million b/d, while exports of crude through the northern pipeline to Turkey doubled to 304,000 b/d.

Southern exports were disrupted by bad weather in February, which delayed shipments for several days, but this was upset by increased volumes in the north, the ministry, reported.

Iraq restarted exports from the northern fields in October 2014 after reaching a deal with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to use the Kurdish pipeline into Turkey.

Baghdad’s existing pipeline has been offline since the beginning of 2014, when it was damaged in an attack by rebel Islamist forces.

Exports in February generated $3.45bn in revenue, with Iraq selling its oil for an average of $47.43 a barrel.