Record violence in Iraq, unrest in Nigeria and refineries galore

This section summarizes downstream developments of the previous month. Exploration & Production are covered in 'Upstream Review'.
A United Nations' survey estimated the number of violent deaths in Iraq during October at 3,709: the highest monthly total since the US-led invasion formally ended in May 2003. The 23rd November saw the highest daily total of civilian casualties - over 200 dead - when a Shi'ite quarter of Baghdad known as Sadr City was bombed by terrorists. Four days later, major damage was caused to the Kirkuk oilfield by a mortar attack on the field's main oil-processing centre. The following day, all output from the 300,000 bpd field was reported to have ceased. The field is the principal source of crude supply to the Baiji refinery complex serving Baghdad. The growing violence in Iraq has also prevented the delivery of some 10,000 bpd of crude oil to Jordan under a contract that was signed in August. The oil has to be delivered by road, in the absence of any pipeline between the two countries, but it is now considered too dangerous to operate such a large supply convoy across Iraq (for further developments in Iraq, see 'Focus').