Gulf Keystone halts Shaikan field as attacks rattle Kurdistan energy sector

ERBIL — Gulf Keystone Petroleum temporarily shut production at the Shaikan oil field on Monday as a precaution after recent drone and missile attacks on energy facilities across the Kurdistan Region.

The London- and Oslo-listed company said its assets had not been affected and that gross production at Shaikan had been above 45,000 barrels per day before the shutdown. It said its approach was in line with other international operators in the region and that it was closely monitoring the security situation. The company did not identify a specific threat or say when production would resume.

The shutdown follows a series of attacks and precautionary measures affecting the Kurdistan Region’s energy sector.

Drone and missile strikes have hit oil and gas infrastructure during the initial phase of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, prompting international operators to halt or scale back operations over concern for staff and facilities.

Dana Gas earlier suspended operations at the Khor Mor gas field over security threats. The field, run by the Pearl Petroleum consortium, supplies gas to power stations across the Kurdistan Region, making any disruption a risk to electricity generation.

Other operators have taken similar steps at fields in Erbil and Duhok governorates as authorities investigate the attacks and tighten security around production sites.

Gulf Keystone operates Shaikan, in Duhok governorate, and said it would issue further updates as warranted.