Oilfield in Iraq hit by drone attacks for the second time this week, Norwegian facilities affected
### Drone Attacks Disrupt Oil Production in Iraqi Kurdistan
A series of drone attacks targeting oilfields operated by the Norwegian firm DNO in the Tawke area of northern Iraq's Kurdistan region have intensified this week, causing significant disruptions to the region's energy sector.
#### Current Situation
On Thursday, July 17, 2025, a drone attack struck the Tawke oilfield, marking the second attack on DNO's Tawke oilfield in just a few days. These incidents are part of a broader campaign affecting the region, with daily attacks on oil infrastructure for the past four consecutive days.
#### Impact on Oil Production
Following the explosions, DNO temporarily suspended production at both the Tawke and Peshkabour oilfields. There have been no reported injuries, but damage to infrastructure has forced these shutdowns. The combined effect of these attacks has slashed oil output in the Kurdistan region by an estimated 140,000 to 150,000 barrels per day—more than half of the region’s usual daily production of about 280,000 barrels.
The Ain Sifni oilfield, operated by U.S.-based Hunt Oil, was also attacked this week, further compounding the regional output losses. The company reported no injuries but has shut down facilities to assess damage.
#### Perpetrators and Responses
As of now, no group has officially claimed responsibility for these attacks. Iraqi Kurdistan security sources and officials indicate that initial investigations point to drones coming from areas under the control of Iran-backed militias. DNO has not issued a public statement in response to the attacks.
#### Summary
| Date | Target | Operator | Impact on Production | Suspected Perpetrator | |---------------------|---------------------|----------|-----------------------------|----------------------------| | July 17, 2025 | Tawke oilfield | DNO | Production suspended | Iran-backed militias[1][4] | | July 16, 2025 | Ain Sifni oilfield | Hunt Oil | Facilities shut down | Unknown | | Ongoing (4 days) | Multiple oilfields | Various | 140,000–150,000 bpd loss | Likely Iran-backed[1][4] |
The situation remains fluid, with companies assessing damage and no clear timeline for resuming normal operations. The counter-terrorism service, responsible for reporting on the drone attacks, has not yet released further updates on the current situation.
The series of drone attacks on oilfields in Iraqi Kurdistan, including those operated by DNO and Hunt Oil, have disrupted the region's energy sector, particularly the oil-and-gas business, as the attacks have resulted in significant production losses. These disruptions are causing financial concerns for the involved businesses due to the decrease in daily production by an estimated 140,000 to 150,000 barrels, representing more than half of the region’s usual daily output.
