Iraq plans to increase the production capacity of West Qurna 1 oilfield to 490,000 barrels per day (b/d) in the “next few days,” according to a senior Iraqi official, Reuters reported.

The oilfield which is developed by ExxonMobil has a current production capacity of around 440,000 b/d.

ExxonMobil has evacuated its foreign staff of 60 people, from the West Qurna 1 oilfield. The evacuation came after the US withdrew non-essential staff from its embassy in Baghdad due to rising tensions with Iran.