LAGOS, April 29 (Reuters) - Nigerian unions started talks with Exxon Mobil on Tuesday to end a six-day strike which has shut nearly all the U.S. major's 800,000 barrels a day (bpd) production and helped drive oil prices to record highs.

The government-mediated talks should have begun on Monday in the Nigerian capital Abuja but were held up as some union leaders missed their flight from the commercial capital Lagos, sources close to the discussions said.

The strike and attacks by Niger Delta rebels have slashed production in the world's eighth-largest oil exporter by more than half, driving prices to around $120 a barrel on Monday. ... Read full article