Major oil companies reduce the number of its workers in Iraq

situation in spite of the measures taken by the Iraqi government to tighten security.

Iraqi officials say that the southern regions, which comes out to about 90 percent of the country's oil production is completely safe from militants group of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, who took control of large areas of north of the country during the week with the collapse of the central government forces.

The government says that about 100 thousand specialist policemen to protect the oil installations are standing on high alert and well-armed.

However, the oil companies do not run the risk when it comes to the employees of foreign experts who have become a prime target for militants. The anxiety began to creep into some importers of Iraqi crude concerning supplies.

 Bob Baddeley, chief executive at B.P. major investor in Iraq through its work in the giant Rumaila field said in remarks to reporters in Moscow, seen by "Shafaq News", that "we are very careful in Iraq. Persons who are not important for the production have left ... But operations continuous. "

The Bulletin of (Iraq Oil Report) concerned with the sector said that Exxon Mobil, which is developing the West Qurna field -1 also reduce employment levels. The company refused to comment.

Russian companies said that it did not reduce the number of employees yet, but is considering contingency plans.

Vadim Yakovlev, First Deputy CEO of Gazprom denied that it has began work in Badra field this month and told reporters that " Badra field is located on the border with Iran. Moving everything according to the plan now but we are working on an alternative plan .. Including options for evacuation."

The Foreign Ministry advised Chinese citizens to avoid travelling to Iraq.

In India, a major importer of oil Iraq's second-largest crude producer in , OPEC official said there are concerns about the future of Iraqi supplies.

The official said the Indian oil ministry said that the ministry had asked refiners to search for alternatives.

Almost all the major oil companies work with Baghdad in joint ventures, including Exxon Mobil lobby. BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Eni , Gazprom oil , Lukoil and Chinese companies.

Security sources working in the oil sector, said that the companies will proceed to a full evacuation of hundreds of foreign workers from Iraq if there is a major upsurge in violence.