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Update: Market Chatter: Crude Oil Loading Suspended Briefly at Iraqi Terminals

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(Updates throughout, including the headline, after loading suspension ends.)

Loading of crude oil was suspended briefly at all Iraqi terminals on Thursday after a drone crashed into an oil tanker in Basra, without causing damage or fire, Reuters reported, based on accounts from four Iraqi oil and security sources.

The country's oil terminals are located in the south of the country and it was not clear who had sent the drone.

Confirming that loading had resumed, the head of Iraq's state oil marketer, Somo, told Reuters that Thursday's drone incident was not an intentional attack on Basra Oil Terminal and that it was targeting another location. He did not explain where or why events unfolded as they did.

An oil ministry spokesperson told Reuters load was taking place as normal. Iraq's Ministry of Transport did not immediately reply to a request for confirmation and comment from.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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