Gulf Keystone resumes oil production in Iraqi Kurdistan after drone attacks
Officials in the oil sector told Reuters in July that several drone assaults on oilfields in Iraqi Kurdistan reduced oil output, including that of other businesses, by 140,000 to 150,000 barrels per day.
Gulf Keystone has a production-sharing deal with Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), with an 80 percent operating interest in the Shaikan license, which is located approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) northwest of the city of Erbil, according to Reuters.
Following a security review and discussions with the KRG, the firm announced that production activities at the Shaikan oilfield had resumed.
The firm said that it will offer an additional update on production and sales when it announces its first-half results later this month.
A string of drone attacks during July targeted oil facilities and other important sites in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the necessity of holding responsible those involved in the recent attacks on Iraq's energy infrastructure.
Rubio also emphasized the need to take measures to prevent future attacks, according to a statement released by the US Department of State.
Spokesperson of the US State Department Tammy Bruce said in a press briefing that the US firmly opposes the drone assaults, which have been targeting oil sites in the Kurdistan region of Iraq since July 14.
These attacks threaten Iraq's stability and economic future, according to Bruce.
Multiple incidents of mysterious drone attacks on energy infrastructure in recent weeks have sparked domestic and international alarm about the emergence of security tensions, which might harm the Iraqi economy and reconstruction efforts.
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