Part of the problem is that Iraq has only two oil platforms in the south to deliver it's oil. There is Khor Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT) and the al Basra Oil Terminal (ABOT) and they are both in very bad shape due to years of war (going all the way back to the Iran conflict) and neglect. They are served by the same pipeline and oil flow is commonly interrupted by sabotage. There is no deep water port there for the tankers, so this is thier only option right now.