BASRA, Iraq (AP) — Iraqi officials say two large explosions have damaged an oil pipeline in southern Iraq and set off a huge blaze.
The deputy head of the Basra provincial council, Ahmed al-Sulaiti, said firefighters were still battling the fire late Tuesday.
He said authorities did not know what caused the blasts near the Rumaila oil field, but security official in Basra said the explosions were set off by bombs.
The official did not want to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Basra is a main oil center in Iraq's south.
Rumaila is being developed by Britain's BP and China's CNPC. Iraq has been trying to attract foreign investment to develop its dilapidated energy sector after years of war and sanctions.
Shares