41. Also pressuring the petroleum complex were indications of an apparent resumption of Iraqi exports since Sunday. 42. Also Tuesday, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries meets to decide on a response to the Iraqi export halt. 43. But Iraqi exports continue to be erratic. 44. Crude oil futures plunged Friday as traders acted on fears of a glut stemming from contingency plans to replace suspended Iraqi exports, analysts said. 45. Delegates have started discussing the possibility of holding an emergency meeting in July, depending on the status of the Iraqi export suspension, a senior OPEC source said. 46. Delegates from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries acknowledged that a resumption in Iraqi exports of oil could depress prices but said any effect would probably be temporary. 47. Energy futures rose Friday at the New York Mercantile Exchange as falling inventories and technical factors overshadowed the imminent return of Iraqi exports to the market, analysts said. 48. If successful, those talks could lead to less erratic Iraqi exports, analysts said. 49. However, under the program, all profits from Iraqi exports go into an escrow bank account in New York. 50. In a sense, the disruption of Iraqi exports has already begun. |