Iraq’s state oil marketer Somo has replaced its director general, with Ammar al-Anbagi taking over from Alaa al-Yasiri. The move has taken industry figures by surprise, although a senior Iraqi source says there had been rumors that Mr Yasiri was set to leave. Mr Anbagi will also likely assume Mr Yasiri’s role as Iraq’s Opec Governor.
Mr Anbagi takes over at a time when Iraq’s core crude oil sales are coming under pressure in their largest market – India. Iraq routinely exported more than 1mn b/d to India, but with Russian crude displaced from Europe, India is snatching up as many discounted barrels from there that it can (MEES, 3 February). India barely took 50,000 b/d from Russia before the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but is now taking more than 1.5mn b/d. (CONTINUED - 362 WORDS)
