11.   A U.N. spokesman, Hiro Ueki, said it could be at least several days before Iraq actually begins exporting oil.

12.   Adequate supplies in Europe also make it less likely that U.S. heating oil will be exported, as it was last year.

13.   British Petroleum has said it will export some oil to Asia if the ban is lifted.

14.   Chevron also has been exploring other options to exporting its oil.

15.   Contributing to the price slide was the United Nations decision to allow Iraq to export oil for humanitarian purposes.

16.   Countries anxious that Caspian oil be exported through the Black Sea, notably Russia, oppose the idea.

17.   Crude oil dropped today amid renewed speculation Iraq could begin exporting oil under a United Nations plan by the end of the year.

18.   Crude oil futures were steady before the United Nations meets to consider whether to extend an accord that allows Iraq to export oil.

19.   Crude oil is expected to fall amid expectations supply will rise after Iraq resumed exporting oil early last week.

20.   Crude prices fell a second day amid mounting speculation Iraq may begin exporting oil under a United Nations plan by the end of the year, sooner than expected.