ABU DHABI Ñ Kuwait has begun the process of shutting down two oil
fields near the Iraqi border.
Kuwaiti officials said the decision was based on an assessment that the
oil fields could be a target of an Iraqi missile attack amid the expected
U.S.-led war on Baghdad. Officials said rigs and other equipment have been
withdrawn from the northern oil fields of the Abdali and Ratqa, Middle East Newsline reported.
Oil workers were also being evacuated from the northern fields,
officials said. They said the work began last week amid an order to evacuate
civilians and non-essential personnel from northern Kuwait.
Officials said Kuwait's oil production would not be significantly
affected by the
evacuation of the equipment and personnel. They said the oil fields produce
a total of 25,000 barrels of oil a day.
