Several oil fields in Iraqi Kurdistan have suspended production following targeted drone attacks. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) reported that the oil fields suffered significant damage from drone attacks carried out over three days. While the perpetrators remain unknown, no group has claimed responsibility for these attacks. No casualties have been reported in these incidents.
The KRG’s Ministry of Natural Resources stated that terrorist attacks using explosive-laden drones were carried out on the Tawke, Peshkabir, and Ayn Sifni oil fields in Kurdistan’s Duhok province. The ministry also said that these attacks were aimed at damaging economic infrastructure and endangering civilians working in the energy sector. Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP), a Kurdish oil company, announced that it had suspended operations at the Shaikan field, one of Kurdistan’s largest oil fields, due to ongoing attacks in the area. GKP stated in a release that the decision to halt operations was made to ensure the safety of workers. However, the company noted that none of its assets were damaged in the attacks.
GKP operates in Kurdistan in partnership with the Kurdistan Regional Government under a Production Sharing Contract (PSC), where the company covers 80% of the oil exploration and production costs. After deducting the government’s share from oil sales profits, the oil company receives 80% of the remaining profit. DNO, a Norwegian oil and gas company operating the Tawke and Peshkabir oil fields in the Zakho area of Duhok province, also announced a temporary suspension of its operations due to explosions. The company reported no casualties and stated that they are currently assessing the damage to the oil fields. DNO plans to resume production as soon as the assessment is complete.
The third oil field targeted in the attacks, Ayn Sifni, is operated by the American company Hunt Oil. Details of the damage to this field have not been disclosed.
