The Iraqi energy sector witnessed notable fluctuations across the initial nine months of 2026, extracting approximately 834.7 million barrels of crude, according to data released by the Eco Iraq observatory. The report highlighted that September achieved the highest daily production
rate since the start of the year, prior to developments surrounding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Crude flows initially maintained typical stability throughout January and February, averaging over 4.1 million barrels per day. The daily output recorded 4.097
million barrels in January and 4.140 million barrels in February, before experiencing a steep decline in March due to regional war repercussions, falling to 1.906 million barrels. It dropped further to 1.633 million barrels in April and touched its lowest
point during the period in May at 1.406 million barrels daily. Subsequently, a steady recovery phase commenced as extraction rose to 1.525 million barrels daily in June. Upward momentum continued during the third quarter, with daily averages climbing to 2.901
million barrels in July and 3.746 million in August. September concluded this ascent by reaching 4.399 million barrels daily, based on direct communication figures within OPEC tables used by the observatory, marking the peak performance prior to the Strait of
Hormuz closure.
