The first cargo of Iraqi Kurdistan's crude oil has been sold on the international market, industry sources said.

The crude pumped from Genel Energy's Taq Taq oil field was trucked over Iraq's northern border with Turkey and sold via tender for loading in April.


One trader said the cargo sold was 30,000 tons, which at Friday's market prices was worth around $ 22 million.


The direct trade of crude and condensate by truck through Turkey has been rising steadily and now stands at close to 50,000 barrels per day (bpd). Exports of Taq Taq crude by truck are now more than 25,000 bpd, industry sources said.


A senior Iraqi official said last month the growing trade between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Turkey threatens to split Iraq in two.


Genel Energy expects to export oil by pipeline from its fields in Iraqi Kurdistan by 2014.