New Delhi: India today evacuated all its oil employees from strife-torn South Sudan and shut down oilfields amid escalating violence in the world's youngest nation.
All 11 executives working on 40,000 barrels per day Greater Nile Oil Project and Block 5A were airlifted, a top source with direct knowledge of the development said.
"The evacuation happened in two batches. All the officials have arrived in India safely," he said.
Before departure, the last job the Indian executives did was to shut down the oilfields yesterday.
ONGC Videsh Ltd, the overseas arm of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), had deputed 11 employees at Greater Nile Oil Project and Block 5A in Sudan.
The company made all arrangements to evacuate its personnel as rebel forces loyal to deposed South Sudanese Vice President Riek Machar captured Unity state which housed most of the fields it was operating.
