Iraq's oil labour strains ease, saving output

BAGHDAD, March 30 (Reuters) - A lull in fighting in the oil-rich province of Basra allowed oil field workers to return to work, ensuring output of around 2 million barrels per day continued without disruption, a company official said on Sunday.

A South Oil Company official earlier this week warned production could sharply decline if heavy fighting in Basra kept replacement workers at home for a prolonged period.

The same crew has been working at the Rumaila oilfields in Basra province since Tuesday, when Iraqi security forces began a major military operation to clear the area of militants loyal to Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

"We managed to replace the exhausted workers in Rumaila North this morning," said the senior oil official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Regarding Rumaila South, it's still too risky to take the shift workers there as the surrounding area is still dangerous."

Sadr called on his followers on Sunday to stop battling government forces after a week of fighting that has killed hundreds in southern Iraq and Baghdad.

"If the security situation improves, we will be able to replace workers in other fields, including Rumaila South, by Monday," the official said. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Writing by Randy Fabi)