Iraq halts Gharraf oilfield after Petronas evacuates staff

Iraq halts Gharraf oilfield after Petronas evacuates staff
Iraq halted production of around 95,000 barrels per day of oil from Gharraf southern oilfield after Malaysia’s Petronas evacuated its staff from the field. (AFP file photo)
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Updated 17 March 2020
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Iraq halts Gharraf oilfield after Petronas evacuates staff

Iraq halts Gharraf oilfield after Petronas evacuates staff
  • Petronas, the operator of Gharraf, took the decision to protect its staff from the spread of the new coronavirus
  • Oil officials said they are working to restore operations at Gharraf

BASRA, Iraq: Iraq halted on Tuesday production of around 95,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil from Gharraf southern oilfield after Malaysia’s Petronas evacuated its staff from the field, oil officials said.
Petronas, the operator of Gharraf, took the decision to protect its staff from the spread of the new coronavirus, Iraqi oilfield officials said; adding that the company took the decision without consulting with Iraqi officials in Gharraf.
“We were forced to shut down production because Petronas didn’t inform us of the evacuation process,” said one oilfield official.
Oil officials said they are working to restore operations at Gharraf on Wednesday.