BAGHDAD: Iraq's oil reserves have increased to 153 billion barrels, from a previous estimate of 143 billion barrels, Oil Minister Jabal al-Luaibi said on Sunday.



Iraq will ask the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to adopt the new figure as the official estimate for its reserves, he said in a statement.



The increased estimate is the result of appraisals and exploration carried out at seven oil fields in central and southern Iraq, he said.



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