Benchmark Prices and Iraqi Oil Prices: The Asymmetric Effects of Benchmark Prices on Three Iraqi Oil Blends

Authors

  • Volkan Kahraman Energy Economics, Policy, and Security, The Graduate School of Economics and Social Sciences, Bilkent University, 06800 Ankara, Türkiye
  • Nukhet Dogan Department of Econometrics, Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University, 06420 Ankara, Türkiye
  • Hakan Berument Department of Economics, Bilkent University, 06800 Ankara, Türkiye

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.15407

Keywords:

Crude Oil Prices, Benchmark Prices, Asymmetric Effects

Abstract

This paper examines the asymmetric effects of benchmark oil prices on the prices of the three major Iraqi oil blends (Basrah Light, Basrah Heavy and Kirkuk) using Kilian and Vigfusson's (2011) non-linear VAR specification. The empirical evidence reveals that a decrease in benchmark prices decreases Basrah Light and Kirkuk oil blends more than an increase in the benchmark increases the prices of these two Iraqi blends for the October 2002-October 2019 period. However, the asymmetric behavior of Basrah Heavy is the reverse for the April 2015-October 2019 period. Moreover, as the magnitude of the benchmark oil price shocks increases, the degree of asymmetry increases. This shows that Iraq cannot benefit from oil price increases and market developments for its two most important export blends: Basrah Light and Kirkuk.

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Published

2024-03-15

How to Cite

Kahraman, V., Dogan, N., & Berument, H. (2024). Benchmark Prices and Iraqi Oil Prices: The Asymmetric Effects of Benchmark Prices on Three Iraqi Oil Blends. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 14(2), 77–88. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.15407

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Section

Articles