Exxon eyes raising W.Qurna output to 2.325 mln bpd

BAGHDAD, Nov 5 - A consortium led by Exxon Mobil <XOM.N> plans to raise output on Iraq's giant West Qurna field to 2.325 million barrels per day from less than half a million bpd at present, the Iraqi oil minister said on Thursday.

Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani also said the consortium, which beat three rival groups to clinch the contract to develop the field, plans to pump in as much as $50 billion over six years into the project.

There was no confirmation of the investment figure from the Exxon Mobil executive present at the signing ceremony in Baghdad.