Reuters reported on 24 September, citing two unnamed sources, that Vitol had bought at least 25 million barrels of Iraqi crude for September. Vitol declined to comment and SOMO had not responded.
The purchases were reported amid shipping disruption and discounted sales. The figures are attributed estimates, not an independently verified final monthly total.
Vitol’s role in this account is that of a crude trader. Purchase volumes describe its reported commercial exposure to Iraqi cargoes; they do not establish oilfield production, terminal throughput or how much of the purchased oil had reached buyers.