Security

Akkas gas field falters despite increasing power needs

Even as wartime supply disruptions push Iraq toward a summertime electricity crisis, the Akkas gas field is producing at a fraction of its potential.

Representatives of the Iraqi Oil Ministry and the U.S. company SLB gather in Baghdad on July 22, 2025, for the signing of a contract for the development of the Akkas gas field. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

May 4, 2022

Another refinery attack signals rising threat

Sunday's rocket strike on KAR Group's refinery complex in Erbil damaged a storage tank and highlighted increasing security risks for Iraqi Kurdistan's critical energy infrastructure.

Apr 12, 2022

Attack hits near Kurdistan’s export pipeline

An explosion Sunday night in the vicinity of a pumping station highlights potential vulnerabilities of key energy infrastructure.

Apr 7, 2022

Rocket attack misses Kurdistan refinery complex but raises security concerns

Just three weeks after Iranian ballistic missiles destroyed the house of the head of KAR Group, a rocket attack appeared to target the company's refinery complex.

Mar 16, 2022

Iranian missiles destroy house of prominent Kurdish oil businessman

The IRGC says it was targeting Israeli interests in Erbil, but the main victim of the 12-missile barrage appears to have been the private residence of the CEO of KAR Group, who has no known ties to Israel.

Feb 26, 2022

Protests shut down Nassiriya field

The 60k bpd field is the second in two days to stop production amid global supply concerns as Russian war in Ukraine continues.

Feb 23, 2022

Dhi Qar unrest raises oil sector risks

Protesters are threatening to shut down the Nassiriya field, and deadly violence has caused one American company to suspend oil operations in the province.

Jan 25, 2022

KRG resumes Syria crude trade

After more than a month, the border has reopened for both trade and humanitarian traffic, alleviating economic pressure on a U.S. ally in the counter-IS fight.

Jan 20, 2022

Northern exports resume after Turkey pipeline explosion

The temporary outage had no apparent impact on oil field operations or export volumes, but the cause of the incident is a matter of uncertainty and potential concern.

Jan 19, 2022

Oil worker shot in attempted highway robbery

Despite the presence of a security protection team, an armed gang attacked a convoy carrying international oil workers to the Basra airport.

Jan 11, 2022

KRG shuts border with Syrian Kurds, cutting oil artery

The closure blocks a major source of funding for the Rojava administration, a U.S. ally in the fight against IS.