Iraq’s Oil Ministry is investing in sharp production increases at northern Iraq oil fields, including the 1.9 billion barrel Hamrin field, despite persistent security problems in the vicinity.On Monday evening, the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline (ITP) stopped operation after an explosion, which one senior North Oil Company (NOC) official involved in exports said was due to a technical failure. However, another NOC official and a Ninewa province security official called it an act of sabotage