In the following months, I visited key refineries and export stations, in Shei'ba, Rumeilla and Bergeseeya.
Key refineries, storage terminals and pipelines that serve the region have been without power, or suffered water damage, or both, and are only slowly coming back on line.
Workers were evacuated from Iraq's key Baiji refinery, local sources said, as it remained unclear who was in control of the plant.
The rebels continue to advance, and are fighting to take a key oil refinery.
Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has rejected calls for a national salvation government, as the battle with jihadist-led Sunni rebels for control of a key oil refinery continues.
Oil prices slipped below $59 Monday on news that Hurricane Dennis missed key Gulf of Mexico refineries and spared the market from a sudden disruption in supply at a time of high demand.
The supply of crude oil has been flowing to the key northern Baiji refinery, which has helped increase the production of electricity, the report said.
According to a U.S. official, the strikes by the U.S., Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates air forces targeted the infrastructure surrounding the oil platforms, including barracks and other support structures that are key to the refinery operations.
