Exxon decision to evacuate staff from Iraq ‘unacceptable and unjustified’ says oil minister

Iraq’s oil minister has hit out at US oil giant Exxon, demanding it immediately returns workers which it evacuated from the country amid growing regional tensions.

Thamer Ghadhban today said that Exxon’s decision was “unacceptable and unjustified” after it was revealed that all its foreign staff at the West Qurna 1 oilfield would be moved out of the country.

Read more: Oil prices jump as Houthis launch drone attack on Saudi oil pumps

Around 60 people have been taken from the site which is around 20 miles from the border with Iran, Reuters revealed this weekend. They will continue to work from Dubai.

“The withdrawal of multiple employees – despite their small number – temporarily has nothing to do with the security situation or threats in the oilfields of southern Iraq, but it’s for political reasons,” Ghadhban said.

London-listed oil giant Shell today said that it is monitoring the situation in the Middle East, while BP confirmed it was keeping an eye on events earlier this week.

Tensions have been rising after two attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure and shipping in the past week.

Last weekend four oil tankers, including two flying the Saudi flag, were attacked off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, close to a vital shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.

The insurer of a Norwegian tanker, which was among the four, said the attack was likely carried out by underwater drones, and pointed the finger at Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Just days later two oil pumping sites deep inside Saudi Arabia were hit by drone attacks from Iran-backed Houthi fighters, the authorities said.

Saudi Arabia this morning accused Tehran of being behind the attacks. The country said it “does not want a war in the region” but will “ respond with all force and determination” in the event that the other side chooses conflict.

Read more: Attack on Saudi tankers pushes up oil price

Iran denies responsibility for the attacks. The country has been put under increasing pressure by ramped-up US sanctions after US President Donald Trump ripped up a 2015 agreement on nuclear proliferation. 

Tehran has said it could block off the Straits of Hormuz, which is a gateway bringing Saudi, Qatari and Iraqi oil to international markets.