Baker Hughes, a leading oilfield services company, has suspended operations in Iraq and issued a force majeure notice to its customers.

The suspension of operations followed a protest incident by local residents recently at a subsidiary’s facility near Basra. No injuries were suffered and the facility was secured, said a statement.

The incident is currently under investigation, it said.

"Baker Hughes supports the Iraqi oil industry," said Martin Craighead, chairman and CEO of Baker Hughes.

"And the safety and welfare of our employees are our top priorities. While we investigate this incident, and until the work environment has stabilised, we are halting activities in Iraq. We hope to resolve this issue in a timely manner, and resume operations in support of our customers and Iraq, as soon as it is safe to do so."  

Baker Hughes is a leading supplier of oilfield services, products, technology and systems to the worldwide oil and natural gas industry. - TradeArabia News Service