A recent explosion at an oil field in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region has led to the suspension of operations. According to HKN Energy, the US company operating the field, “an explosion occurred earlier today at approximately 7:00 AM local time (0400 GMT) at one of its production facilities in the Sarang field.” The company further stated that “operations at the affected facility have been suspended until the site is secured.” Fortunately, the explosion did not result in any casualties.
The explosion at the Sarang field comes on the heels of a series of drone and rocket attacks in Kurdistan. Just a day prior, three explosive-laden drone attacks were reported, with one drone shot down near Arbil airport and two others hitting the Khurmala oil field, causing material damage. While no group has claimed responsibility for these attacks, the Kurdistan authorities have blamed the Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of pro-Iran former paramilitaries now integrated into the regular armed forces, for a July 3 drone attack near Arbil airport. However, the federal government in Baghdad has rejected this accusation.
The latest attacks and the explosion at the Sarang field occur against a backdrop of heightened tension between Baghdad and Arbil over oil exports. A major pipeline through Turkey has been shut since 2023 due to legal disputes and technical issues. In May, Iraq’s federal authorities filed a complaint against the autonomous Kurdistan region for signing gas contracts with two US companies, including HKN Energy. This context suggests that the region’s oil industry is facing significant challenges and uncertainties.
The explosion at the Sarang field highlights the vulnerability of Iraq’s oil infrastructure to attacks and disruptions. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to these incidents and address the underlying tensions between Baghdad and Arbil. The suspension of operations at the affected facility is a significant development, and the investigation into the cause of the explosion will likely be closely watched by industry stakeholders and observers.