Peregraf– Sangar Salar
The wave of explosive-laden drone attacks, which erupted at a highly sensitive time, has forced oil companies to halt nearly two-thirds of production within three days, posing a serious threat to the remaining sector. The Kurdistan Region now lacks the necessary oil to comply with the agreement reached with Baghdad, adding another obstacle to salary payments. However, the drones have fallen silent for over 24 hours.
This marks the first time destructive drone strikes have targeted the Kurdistan Region’s oilfields. According to a statement from the Ministry of Natural Resources of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), the bomb-laden drones inflicted "significant damage" to oilfield infrastructure. The KRG also states that "substantial material losses have been incurred in oil production operations."
Drone attacks against the Kurdistan Region began on June 30 but shifted focus to oilfields on July 14. Approximately 15 attacks have occurred, seven of which specifically targeted oilfields with nine drones: Khurmala (one attack with two drones), Peshkabur (one attack with two drones), Tawke (two attacks with two drones each), Hunt Oil (two attacks with two drones each), and Sarsang (one attack with one drone). This excludes several drones that crashed in non-targeted areas.
A Peregraf investigation reveals that out of eight active oil contract areas comprising nine fields, five have been attacked. The targeted fields account for the majority of the Kurdistan Region’s oil output. The threat has also led to production halts in several other fields.
Yadgar Sadiq, head of the Roonbeen Organization for Transparency in Oil Processes, told Peregraf: "As soon as oil companies realize the area is unsafe, they suspend production—just as they did during ISIS’s emergence."
Sadiq added, "So far, production has stopped in the Tawke (Tawke + Peshkabur), Atrush, Sarsang, and Ain Sifni fields. Production continues in Khurmala, Erbil, Sarqala, and Bjeel fields."
KRG officials accuse Iran-aligned Hashd al-Shaabi factions of carrying out the attacks. Rebar Ahmed, KRG Minister of Interior, stated on July 17, 2025: "These drone attacks require no investigation—their origin, direction, and targets are blatantly clear."
Per Roonbeen’s data, oil production has plummeted from 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) to around 112,000 bpd. Only the Khurmala field, which remains operational and produces 90,000 bpd, sustains the Kurdistan Region’s output. Any attack on Khurmala would reduce production to near zero.
Sadiq warned: "Targeting Khurmala would drastically impact fuel prices, as it is the Kurdistan Region’s sole major field still operational, capable of exceeding 100,000 bpd." He noted the three other active fields collectively produce just 20,000 bpd.
Pre-Attack Production vs. Current Status
Before the attacks, the KRG’s total daily output was 300,000 bpd from nine fields across eight contract areas. The halted fields produced 192,000 bpd (64% of total output), while the remaining four fields contributed 111,000 bpd (under 36%).
Though drone strikes began on June 30, 2025, oilfields were first targeted on July 14. The latest attack occurred on July 17 at 10:55 AM against DNO’s Tawke field, causing no damage, per the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Fields Where Production Has Stopped
1. Sarsang Oilfield (Duhok Governorate): The second field attacked, producing 29,900 bpd (10% of KRG output). A bomb-laden drone struck at 7:00 AM on July 15, triggering a massive explosion and halting production.
2. Tawke & Peshkabur Fields: Bombed twice on July 16 (6:00 AM and 6:15 AM), causing fires. Their combined output was 82,081 bpd (27% of KRG production).
3. Hunt Oil Field (Baadre, Duhok): Attacked twice on July 16. Sadiq clarified production here had been halted since March 25, 2023, due to export suspensions.
4. Atrush Field: Though not directly hit, production was suspended for staff safety. Previously produced 35,300 bpd (12% of Kurdish oil output).
Fields Still Operational
1. Khurmala Field (Erbil Governorate): The KRG’s largest (90,000 bpd, 30% of output). Attacked on July 14 at 8:20 PM and 8:25 PM with two drones, damaging only water pipes.
2. Erbil Field: Unattacked, produces 9,000 bpd (3% of output).
3. Sarqala Field (Garmyan Administration): Operated by Russia’s Gazprom, produces 8,500 bpd (3% of output).
4. Bjeel-Harir Field: Smallest (4,000 bpd, 1.3% of output), began production last month.
Ceasefire After Baghdad-Erbil Agreement
Following the Iraqi Council of Ministers’ approval of a federal-KRG oil agreement on July 17—which includes KRG oil handovers—no new attacks have occurred. KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani stressed that "alongside salary and financial entitlements, attacks on the Region, especially oilfields, must end."
The drone strikes had prevented the KRG from meeting its 230,000 bpd commitment to Baghdad (plus 50,000 bpd for local use), as current output is below 112,000 bpd. With no attacks in over 24 hours post-agreement, expectations are high that the assaults—blamed on Hashd factions—will cease.
Should the threat dissipate, production could swiftly rebound to 300,000 bpd. Resuming exports would further boost output toward pre-crisis levels of 400,000 bpd, last seen three years ago.
Peregraf relies on detailed data regarding the Kurdistan Region's oil, citing a recent report published last month by the Roonbeen Organization for Transparency in Oil Processes. The organization, in its reports, depends on verified, detailed data from oil companies, global centers, and the professional assessments and analyses conducted by its member experts.
Iraq Uncovers Source of Drone Attacks
A high-level Iraqi government investigation has revealed key findings about the recent wave of drone attacks targeting energy infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region, including oil fields in Duhok and Zakho. The committee, formed by order of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, confirmed that the drones were manufactured outside Iraq but launched from specific locations within Iraqi territory.
Among the committee’s findings:
• Identifying the origin of the drones used in the attacks, which were equipped with warheads of varying weights and manufactured outside Iraq.
• Launch points were precisely identified inside Iraq, indicating a single perpetrator.
• The parties behind the attacks were uncovered, along with their coordination networks.
• A technical analysis of drone control systems provided intelligence agencies with accurate data supporting the investigation.
The Iraqi military has vowed legal action, calling the attacks a blatant violation of national sovereignty.