Explosion strikes oil pipeline in southern Iraq

The attack occurred just north of Safwan near the border with Kuwait. Iraq exports about 2 million barrels of oil a day of which the vast majority -- about 1.6 million barrels -- are exported through the port of Basra.

BAGHDAD – A bomb struck an oil pipeline Thursday, cutting off supplies and causing a huge fire in southern Iraq near the border with Kuwait, an official said.

The pipeline carries oil from surrounding fields to storage tanks in Basra for export to the Gulf region, according to the official with the South Oil Co. But he said the tanks were full and export supplies had not yet been affected.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media, said the explosion occurred about midnight and the fire raged for hours before it was extinguished in the afternoon.

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