A pipeline exploded at a major oilfield in southern Iraq on Sunday, killing at least one worker and injuring four others, the country's Oil Ministry said.
The explosion and fire were triggered by a gas leak in an old pumping system at the Zubair oil storage depot, while workers were carrying out welding operations near the pipeline in Basra, the ministry said. The pipeline carries crude from the Zubair field to nearby storage tanks.
Early on Sunday afternoon, the ministry said the fire had been "brought under partial control" and that "incidents of this nature require time to be fully contained and extinguished".
One of the injured was in a critical condition, an official said. The incident has not disrupted operations at the oilfield, he added. The site produces 400,000 barrels per day.
Videos on social media showed the area engulfed in flames and thick, black smoke. Firefighters in protective gear battled the blaze, with white foam blanketing the site.
Italy’s Eni is Zubair oilfield's developer.
Iraq is Opec's second-largest producer after Saudi Arabia. Oil revenue makes up more than 90 per cent of Iraq's budget.
The country produces more than four million bpd from Baghdad-controlled oilfields, up from nearly 2.4 million bpd in 2009, according to ministry data.
Also on Sunday, the ministry announced total oil exports of 102.15 million barrels in September, generating $6.96 billion.
