starting from June, thereby changing its decision last week to launch a new crude supplies in May.

One of the sources said, referring to information received last night from SOMO "informing us that they will start supplying Basra heavy crude ... Starting from June instead of May".

He added that changing the launch date of supply will not affect the quality of Basra Light crude exports in May, because it means that the oil separation process in the oil port in southern Iraq will not occur until June.

Iraq – the second largest oil producer in OPEC Organization- seeks to split production from the southern oil fields to Khamin , one heavy and one light to solve quality problems which negatively affect its exports.

SOMO partners include (BP) , (CNBC) , (CNOOC) , Lukoil, Total and Petronas.