Oil pipeline blown up in east Turkey

ANKARA

 Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline has been attacked in Sirnak province, Taner Yildiz, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister said on Wednesday.

According to a statement released by the Turkish Energy Ministry, Yildiz said the suspected sabotage bombing took place 18 kilometers inside the Cizre district of Sirnak province, next to the border with Iraq.

"Just after the explosion we've closed the oil valves to stop extra oil flow. We have taken measures and attack won't have an effect on oil supply and demand," he said.

Turkey's energy system has suffered many attacks recently, Yildiz said, adding that terrorists are taking aim at Turkey's strategic position, stability and development.

On Tuesday, the Turkey-Iran natural gas pipeline was targeted by an explosion in Agri province near the Iran border.

The Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline has a maximum operational capacity of 400,000 barrels per day, but actual flows are around 300,000 barrels per day due to attacks on the pipeline, which frequently disrupt the operation, according to the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq's reconstruction.

The Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline has a storage capacity of 1.6 million barrel per day.