BASRA, Iraq, Aug 30 (AFP) - Crude exports from southern Iraq bounced back to 1.8 million barrels per day Monday night following several attacks on pipelines, an official from the state-run South Oil Company said.
"Exports are being loaded at a rate of 75,000 barrels per hour as of this evening," the official said on condition of anonymity.
They had slumped to 800,000 bpd on Saturday following a string of sabotage attacks on southern pipelines before quickly surging back to around 1.5 million bpd.
On Thursday, officials said eight pipelines, part of a cluster of 20 that serve two southern oilfields, were sabotaged in an overnight explosion, affecting exports and dealing a blow to Iraq's vital but beleaguered oil industry.
A pipeline was also attacked Sunday in southern Iraq and a leak discovered on the pipeline running from the Hamar Mishrif pumping station, 60 kilometres (38 miles) south of Basra.
The latest sabotage was reported on Monday on the outskirts of Baghdad although it was not immediately clear where the pipeline was carrying oil.
The average export rate in recent months has oscillated between 1.8 and 1.9 million bpd but attacks have repeatedly reduced or halted production.
Iraq's economy is heavily dependent on its oil exports, 90 percent of which are currently handled through southern pipelines.
Oil prices fell bellow 42 dollars Monday, as the market reacted positively to a ceasefire order from Shiite militia leader Moqtada Sadr offering fresh hope of improving stability for the troubled oil giant.