BP evacuates foreign staff from Iraq oilfield due to drone incident

• Two unidentified drones landed inside the Rumaila oilfield, prompting BP to evacuate foreign personnel as a safety precaution
• Iraq has reduced oil production by nearly 1.5 million bpd, with potential cuts exceeding 3 million bpd as storage fills and exports remain blocked due to the Iran conflict
• Rumaila's output, normally 1.4 million bpd, was already reduced by 700,000 bpd prior to the drone incident

BP Evacuates Foreign Staff from Iraq's Rumaila Oilfield Amid Drone Incident

BP has evacuated foreign personnel from Iraq's Rumaila oilfield after two unidentified drones landed at the facility on Thursday, March 4, 2026, according to Iraqi oil industry sources. The British energy major confirmed it is taking necessary safety measures and continuously assessing the situation.

Key Production Impact:

The incident occurs amid severe disruptions to Iraqi oil operations due to the ongoing Iran war and closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq has cut oil production by nearly 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd), with potential expansion to over 3 million bpd within days as storage capacity fills and export routes remain blocked. Iraq produced approximately 4 million bpd in January.

The Rumaila oilfield, normally operating at 1.4 million bpd, has already reduced output by 700,000 bpd as of Tuesday.

Market Implications:

These production cuts represent a significant supply disruption in global oil markets, potentially removing up to 75% of Iraq's total production capacity. The combination of export route closures, storage constraints, and security concerns from drone incidents creates multiple pressure points on Iraqi oil operations.

Companies and Assets:

• BP operates the giant Rumaila oilfield in Basra, one of Iraq's largest producing assets
• The field is critical infrastructure for both BP and Iraq's national oil output

The situation reflects broader regional instability stemming from the Iran conflict, with shipping routes disrupted and security threats affecting oil infrastructure. BP emphasized its commitment to partner support and personnel safety while monitoring developments.