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Iraqi News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Drone attack disrupts oil production at oilfield in northern Iraq
Baghdad ( – A drone assault interrupted operations at the Sarsang oilfield in the Kurdistan region of Iraq on Tuesday, a few hours before its US operator, HKN, inked an agreement for the development of another oilfield in the country. The Sarsang field is operated by HKN Energy, a US firm engaged in hydrocarbon exploration headquartered in Texas with operations in Iraqi Kurdistan. Two hours after the morning attack, HKN Vice President Matthew Zais met with Oil Minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani in Baghdad to sign a preliminary agreement for the development of the Hamrin oilfield in northern Iraq, according to the Iraqi oil ministry. Two hours after the morning attack, HKN Vice President Matthew Zais met with Oil Minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani in Baghdad to sign a preliminary deal to develop the Hamrin oil field in northern Iraq, according to Reuters. Chargé d'Affaires at the US Embassy in Baghdad Steven Fagin, who attended the ceremony held to sign the agreement, denounced the drone strikes on oil facilities in Iraqi Kurdistan and encouraged the Iraqi government to investigate the incident and hold perpetrators accountable. Two engineers told Reuters that production at the Sarsang field was suspended as a precautionary measure following an explosion. Authorities in Iraq's Kurdistan region verified that the explosion was caused by a drone assault. One of the engineers working in the oilfield said that billows of smoke were spotted coming from the Sarsang field in the northern Iraqi province of Dohuk. On Monday, two explosive-laden drones were shot down above the Khurmala oil field in the northern Iraqi province of Erbil at 20:20 and 20:25 local time, respectively.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Drone attack shuts US-run oil field in Iraqi Kurdistan
ARBIL, (Iraq): A drone strike on Tuesday forced a US company to suspend operations at an oil field in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, the latest in a string of attacks targeting the region's energy facilities. The Kurdistan Regional Government said the Sarsang oil field in Duhok province was hit, denouncing the strike 'an act of terrorism against the Kurdistan Region's vital economic infrastructure'. The attack followed similar drone strikes a day earlier on an airport hosting US troops and on an oil field in neighbouring Arbil province. HKN Energy, the US firm operating the Sarsang site, said the blast occurred at about 7:00 am (0400 GMT) at one of its production facilities. 'Operations at the affected facility have been suspended until the site is secured,' it said in a statement. A fire broke out but caused no casualties. HKN said emergency teams later contained the blaze. In the past few weeks, Iraq — particularly the Kurdistan region — has seen a spate of unclaimed drone and rocket attacks. Long plagued by conflict, Iraq frequently experiences such attacks, often linked to regional proxy struggles between Iran and the United States and its ally Israel. Kurdistan's presidency condemned attacks on the region's infrastructure. It urged Baghdad to find the perpetrators and take all necessary measures to prevent further incidents. The US embassy denounced the recent drone strikes, including on 'critical infrastructure' at oil fields in Kurdistan. 'These attacks are unacceptable,' the embassy said on X, urging Baghdad to investigate. The Iraqi government 'must exercise its authority to prevent armed actors from launching these attacks against sites... including locations where Iraqi and international companies have invested in Iraq's future', it added. The strike at the Sarsang field came a day after other explosive-laden drone attacks were reported elsewhere in Kurdistan. One drone was shot down near Arbil airport, while two others hit the Khurmala oil field in the same province, causing material damage. There has so far been no claim of responsibility for those attacks, or for the one on Tuesday. On July 3, the Kurdistan authorities said a drone was downed near Arbil airport and blamed the Hashed al-Shaabi — a coalition of pro-Iran former paramilitaries now integrated into the regular armed forces.
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First Post
4 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Drone strike hits Kurdistan oil field, US firm halts operations
The Arbil government said the Sarsang oil field in Duhok province was hit, denouncing the strike as 'an act of terrorism against the Kurdistan Region's vital economic infrastructure'. read more A drone strike on Tuesday forced a US company to suspend operations at an oil field in Iraq's Kurdistan, the latest in a string of attacks targeting the autonomous region's energy facilities. The Iraqi government said it will investigate the attacks, which occurred months before legislative elections, at a time of simmering tension between Baghdad and the regional administration in Arbil mainly over oil exports. The Arbil government said the Sarsang oil field in Duhok province was hit, denouncing the strike as 'an act of terrorism against the Kurdistan Region's vital economic infrastructure'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It did not say who may be behind the attack, and there was no claim of responsibility. Tuesday's attack followed similar drone strikes a day earlier on an airport hosting US troops and on an oil field in Arbil province, near Duhok. HKN Energy, the US firm operating the Sarsang site, said a blast occurred at about 7:00 am (0400 GMT) at one of its production facilities. 'Operations at the affected facility have been suspended until the site is secured,' it said in a statement. A fire broke out but caused no casualties. HKN said emergency teams later contained the blaze. In the past few weeks, Iraq and particularly the Kurdistan region have seen a spate of unclaimed drone and rocket attacks. Long plagued by conflict, Iraq frequently experiences such attacks, often linked to regional proxy struggles between Iran and the United States and its ally Israel. Iraqi Kurdistan presents itself as a relative oasis of stability in a volatile Iraq, attracting foreign investors due to its close ties with the United States and European countries. 'Vital institutions' On Tuesday, Kurdistan's presidency condemned the latest attacks, warning that they 'pose a risk' to international investments and calling on Baghdad to find the perpetrators and prevent further incidents. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an 'immediate and comprehensive investigation' into the attacks, his military spokesman Sabah al-Numan said. 'The nature and timing of these criminal acts indicate malicious intent aimed at creating confusion and harming Iraq and its vital institutions,' Numan added. Iraq is gearing up for legislative elections in November, which are often marked by heated political wrangling. The attacks also come at a time of heightened tension between Baghdad and Arbil over oil exports, with a major pipeline through Turkey shut since 2023 over 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. Iraq slammed the deals, saying all oil and gas development must be conducted through the federal government. A few hours after Tuesday's drone attack, Iraq's oil ministry announced an initial agreement with HKN to develop the Hamrin oil field in Salaheddin province. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Unacceptable' The US embassy in Baghdad denounced the recent drone strikes, including on 'critical infrastructure' in Kurdistan. 'These attacks are unacceptable,' the embassy said on X, adding that the Iraqi government 'must exercise its authority to prevent armed actors from launching these attacks against sites… where Iraqi and international companies have invested in Iraq's future'. The Sarsang attack came a day after other explosive-laden drone attacks were reported elsewhere in Kurdistan. One drone was shot down near Arbil airport, while two others hit the Khurmala oil field in the same province, causing material damage. There has been no claim of responsibility for those attacks. Politicians close to the Kurdish authorities blamed pro-Iran groups, without offering evidence. On July 3, the Kurdistan government said that the Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of pro-Iran former paramilitaries now integrated into the regular armed forces, had downed a drone near Arbil airport. Baghdad rejected the accusation against 'an official Iraqi security institution'.
Rudaw Net
4 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iraq signs oil deal with US firm
Also in Iraq Water crisis in Iraq, Kurdistan Region to halve supply per person by 2035: Rudaw Research Center Sadr expels 31 affiliates for defying elections boycott Baghdad says Erbil's demand for more domestic oil delays export restart Drone downed near Peshmerga position in Kirkuk A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's state-run North Oil Company on Tuesday signed an initial agreement with US-based HKN Energy for the development of the Hamrin oil field in Basra province, just hours after a drone strike targeted one of HKN's oil fields in the Kurdistan Region. The agreement, signed under supervision of Iraqi Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani, aims to raise Hamrin's output to 60,000 barrels per day (bpd), up from its current 20,000 to 25,000 bpd. It also includes plans to invest 45 to 50 million cubic meters of associated gas to fuel power stations, according to a statement from the oil ministry. Abdul Ghani reaffirmed the ministry's 'commitment to cooperating with reputable American and Western companies' to enhance production capacity and support Iraq's economy. He added that negotiations are underway with other firms to expand investment in oil, gas, and energy. The oil ministry cited HKN Vice President Matthew Zais as saying that the company is 'very proud to work and cooperate with the Ministry of Oil,' aiming to develop the field to its full capacity while utilizing Iraqi capabilities for 80 percent of operations and supporting local communities. The signing ceremony was attended by US charge d'affaires Steven Fagin, who welcomed the deal and expressed hopes for more American investment in Iraq. 'We are pleased to attend today's signing ceremony at the Iraqi Ministry of Oil,' Fagin was quoted by the ministry as saying. 'We would like to see much more business with Iraq.' According to the statement, Amer Khalil Ahmed, head of the North Oil Company said that agreement lays the foundation for a development contract that will cover well expansion, staff training, and securing gas for power generation. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani also received Zais and Fagin on Tuesday, expressing the government's vision of increasing both oil output and associated gas investments. The agreement comes hours after an early morning explosion was reported at the Sarsang oil field in Duhok province, operated by HKN Energy. The company did not report any casualties, with staff reporting a drone strike. HKN holds a 62 percent stake in the field. Baghdad's finance ministry in late May suspended budget transfers to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for the rest of the year, claiming Erbil had already received its full 2025 allocation and failed to hand over agreed oil and non-oil revenues. The Kurdistan Region's Finance Minister Awat Sheikh Janab dismissed the justification as 'laughable.' HKN and WesternZagros signed two major oil and gas deals in May worth $110 billion over their lifespan in the Kurdistan Region, prompting a lawsuit from the federal oil ministry. At the time, Zais criticized Baghdad's legal action and warned it could undermine efforts to resume Kurdish oil exports. The Iraqi oil ministry claimed the contracts violated federal court rulings and the Iraqi constitution, while the KRG defended them as extensions of existing contracts that benefit all of Iraq. Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline have been halted since March 2023 when a Paris-based arbitration court ruled in favor of Baghdad against Ankara, saying the latter had violated a 1973 pipeline agreement by allowing Erbil to begin exporting oil independently in 2014. During his meeting with Zais and Fagin on Tuesday, Sudani reaffirmed his government's "ongoing efforts' to resume the exportation of oil to Turkey.
The Sun
27-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Melaka to host 2025 National Cooperative Day with tourism boost
MELAKA: Melaka has been selected to host the 2025 National Cooperative Day (HKN) from July 25 to 27 at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh. The event, organised by the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM), is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors. State Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Allex Seah Shoo Chin said the celebration will include exhibitions and product sales by cooperatives nationwide. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is slated to officiate the opening ceremony. 'This year's event will be livelier as it coincides with World Tourism Day 2025, further boosting Melaka's tourism appeal,' he told reporters after the Semarak Konsumerisme programme with media practitioners. Allex also highlighted Melaka's ongoing Rahmah Sale initiatives, aimed at easing living costs for the B40 group. From January to June, over 500 sales were conducted statewide, including Mobile Rahmah Sales and supermarket collaborations. 'Each state constituency holds at least two mobile sales monthly, alongside special programmes like 'Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat',' he said. Additional Rahmah Sales are scheduled for June 28-29 at selected supermarkets, with details on KPDN Melaka's Facebook page.
