Iraq's KRG ups security after gas field rocket strike

Authorities in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq have strengthened security measures after a rocket struck the Khor Mor gas field in the Sulaymaniyah province on 22 June.

Two contractors were treated for minor injuries but production was not disrupted, Abu Dhabi-listed Dana Gas said. The extent of the damage is unclear and no one has yet claimed responsibility.

The Sulaymaniyah branch of the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) Counter Terrorism Group confirmed the incident and said an investigation is underway.

Dana Gas and Sharjah-based Crescent Petroleum jointly operate the Khor Mor and Chemchemal gas fields on behalf of the Pearl Petroleum consortium, supplying gas to power plants in Erbil, Chemchemal and Bazian. The fields also produce close to 16,000 b/d of condensate and 1,000 t/d of LPG.

Rocket and missile attacks are frequent in the Kurdish region of Iraq and are often blamed on pro-Iran factions. The Kurdish Directorate General of Counter Terrorism said earlier this week that two missiles had been launched by "illegal militia" targeting Kurdistan's Peshmerga armed forces in Nineveh province.

By Ruxandra Iordache