Exxon employees to return to Iraq's West Qurna 1 oilfield with extra security

Employees of Exxon Mobil, one of the world's largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, will start returning to Iraq's West Qurna 1 oilfield on Sunday after the company received assurances from Iraqi officials that its staff would receive extra security, two Iraqi officials told Reuters on Friday.

The first batch of returning employees would comprise senior officials and essential engineers, the officials said. The decision was taken after Exxon received letters of assurance from the Iraqi oil ministry and Basra Oil Company. Exxon asked for extra security from police and army at work sites and residences and Iraq agreed, the officials said.