An explosion caused by a suspected drone strike has halted operations at the Sarsang oilfield in northern Iraqi Kurdistan, according to the region’s Ministry of Natural Resources.
The oilfield, operated by U.S.-based HKN Energy, was targeted on Tuesday, leading to a significant fire and the immediate suspension of production activities.
Emergency response teams were deployed to control the blaze, and all personnel were safely evacuated. No casualties were reported, but the extent of the damage is still being assessed.
The ministry condemned the incident as a “terrorist attack” and stated that initial investigations indicate the drones may have originated from areas controlled by Iran-backed militia groups.
This incident adds to a growing list of recent drone attacks on key energy infrastructure in the Kurdistan region, including a similar strike on the Khurmala oilfield near Erbil earlier this month.
Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation and are reviewing the security protocols at other strategic facilities in the region.
Production at the Sarsang oilfield remains suspended until further notice, as engineers assess the safety of the site and determine the timeline for potential resumption.
The attack has raised fresh concerns over the vulnerability of vital oil assets in the region amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
