At least one person has died after Iraqi police opened fire on protesters near the West Qurna 1 and West Qurna 2 oil fields in Basra.

A local mayor from the Imam Sadiq area, Yaseen al-Battat, told Reuters that one demonstrator was killed and three were wounded.

“Protesters were only making fair demands for jobs and better basic services but police opened fire and killed one protester,” he said.

Police and oil officials said the shooting did not impact the security or operations of the giant southern oil fields.

West Qurna 1 is operated by Russia’s Lukoil and West Qurna 2 by US-based Exxon Mobil.

During the summer Basra often suffers from electricity shortages as more of it is used. The region also suffers from water shortages in the summer – something that can prompt disruption in the area.

Stability in Basra is key to Iraq’s economic stability as it is the country’s most important oil region.

It is hoped Basra’s water shortages will eventually be solved by the Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP).

The scheme, which is yet to reach the execution phase, will transport large quantities of water from the sea to oil fields where it will be injected into wells, freeing up more potable water for use by local communities.

Total oil production at West Qurna 1 is around 430,000 barrels a day.

Exxon is trying to increase production at the field, but progress may be hampered by delays to Iraq’s CSSP.

The CSSP was designed to transport water to be injected into oil fields including West Qurna 1 and the Rumaila field, which is operated by BP.

The CSSP was originally due in 2013, but now the earliest completion date is expected to be 2022.