Oil price competition in Europe is set to intensify when Iranian crude returns to the market after sanctions on its nuclear program are lifted, the International Energy Agency said. Europe will be the battleground between producers of sour crude grades, including Russia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Iran, as the Asian market becomes more “crowded,” the Paris-based IEA said in its monthly report. Iraq, the second largest oil producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, has increased its market share in Europe after the imposition of sanctions on Tehran resulted in the collapse of Iranian exports, the IEA said. Iraq sold 1 million barrels a day to Europe in July and August, overtaking Saudi Arabia, according to the IEA. Europe imports over 9 million barrels a day of crude from outside the region, with sour grades accounting for two-thirds of that, according to the IEA. “By targeting Iran’s former […]