Aging Oil Terminal Vital To Iraq's Economy

The most important cog in Iraq’s economy is a rusted hulk in the Persian Gulf, 30 miles off of Iraq’s coast.

The bulk of Iraq’s crude oil flows through the aging Al-Basrah Oil Terminal, where oil pumps run around the clock, 365 days a year filling giant oil tankers.

American and British forces protect the terminal. Troops are stationed on the offshore facility as Coast Guard and naval vessels patrol the area.
NPR