Iraq's Basra Oil Co. will cut crude oil output at the Nahr Bin Omar field to a minimum because of pollution and gas emissions, the state news agency reported Sunday.

The company's director general, Ihsan Abduljabbar said: "Nahr Bin Omar oil field is considered one of the most controversial fields because of the pollution and gas emissions."

Abduljabbar added, "It has been decided to cut crude oil production to a minimum and to stop operating all oil wells to provide environmental protection."