It is expected that it will take three or four days to fix the line. The pipeline transmits the Iraqi Kirkuk crude to the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean.

The Iraqi oil exports fell to 2.484 million barrels per day (bpd) in May from 2.62 million bpd in April due to a slowdown in shipments of Kirkuk after repeated attacks on the pipeline and maintenance work in the south.

Oil flow of from Iraq to Turkey has stopped through Kirkuk - Ceyhan pipeline in May because of repeated attacks by armed groups.

Experts say that the exports decline shows the difficulty to achieve the exports level set by 2013 budget for at 2.9 million bpd.

Iraq seeks to double its oil production over the next three years and aims in the long term to pump 12 million bpd.