Iraq Oil Export Routes · 2026

South via Hormuz vs North via Turkey

As the Gulf route collapsed, Ceyhan briefly became Iraq's main outlet. In April, for the only time, more crude left through Turkey than through the Strait of Hormuz.
South via Hormuz (Basra)
North via Turkey (Ceyhan)
February pre-war
99.9M bbl total
94%
94.3M bbl
6% · 5.55M
March
18.6M bbl total
79%
~14.6M bbl
21%
~4M
April crisis low · inversion
9.9M bbl total
46%
4.59M bbl
54%
5.30M bbl
May–June reported together
32.1M bbl total
63%
20.2M bbl
37%
11.9M bbl
July recovery
~42.5M bbl total
84%
35.5M bbl
16%
7M
In February, 94% of Iraqi crude left through the Gulf. By April that share fell to 46%, the only month Ceyhan carried more than Hormuz. July's rebound was almost entirely the southern route returning.
Route shares from official SOMO / Ministry of Oil monthly figures; May and June were reported by SOMO as a single combined total. North = Ceyhan (federal Kirkuk plus KRG crude).  ·  The National Context