{
  "id": 4385133,
  "title": "Iraqi Kurdistan resumes oil production of up to 230,000 bpd after drone attacks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/iraqi-kurdistan-resumes-oil-production-of-up-to-230-000-bpd-after-4385133",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-30T08:27:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/energy/2026/08/30/iraqi-kurdistan-resumes-oil-production-of-up-to-230000-bpd-after-drone-attacks/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Iraq's Kurdistan region has recommenced oil production at all its facilities, except Sarsang, at a rate of up to 230,000 barrels per day, following a series of drone attacks during the ongoing conflict. Several energy companies had ceased operations due to drone strikes targeting their infrastructure. Iraq requested oil producers to resume activities in Kurdistan in June. Kamal Mohammed, the Natural Resources Minister in the Kurdistan Regional Government, announced on Saturday that production has resumed across all fields, except Sarsang, which remains under repair following multiple drone strikes. \"Oil production currently ranges between 220,000 and 230,000 barrels per day, a portion of which is for domestic consumption,\" Mr. Mohammed stated, as cited by the Iraqi News Agency. Iraq, the second-largest oil producer in Opec, has suffered significantly from the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began on February 28. Prior to the war, Iraq's oil exports averaged around 3.4 million barrels per day, plummeting to nearly zero when hostilities commenced. Since early August, exports have gradually increased to approximately 2 million barrels per day, according to Iraqi Oil Minister Bassem Khudair. This resurgence is primarily due to Iraq's efforts to establish alternative export routes. On August 22, Iraqi President Nizar Amidi disclosed that Iran had permitted a number of Iraqi oil tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz following repeated Iraqi requests. \"There is facilitation for some tankers carrying Iraqi oil in the Strait of Hormuz,\" Mr. Amidi remarked, without elaborating further. Tehran's state news agency, Irna, independently reported that Iran had granted permission for several Iraqi oil tankers to cross the waterway. Additionally, Mohammed emphasized the necessity of boosting oil refining capacity in the Kurdistan region, the Iraqi News Agency reported. Currently, refining output stands at merely 50,000 barrels per day, whereas local demand exceeds 140,000 barrels per day. The Iraqi government estimates the cost of refining oil at 5,900 dinars ($4 per barrel), while the Kurdistan Regional Government incurs a higher cost of $16 per barrel. Assuming the Iraqi government calculates the price of the supplied oil at $4 per barrel, petrol would be priced at 450 dinars per liter, according to Mr. Mohammed. Presently, the cost of petrol in the region averages around 750 dinars per liter.",
  "summary": "Iraq’s Kurdistan region has resumed oil production at all its oilfields except Sarsang, with output reaching up to 230,000 barrels per day, after a series of drone attacks during the war. Some oil and gas companies operating in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region had stopped production due to drone attacks on their energy infrastructure. Iraq asked oil companies to resume operations in Kurdistan…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Iraqi Kurdistan resumes oil production of up to 230,000 bpd after drone attacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/iraqi-kurdistan-resumes-oil-production-of-up-to-230-000-bpd-after",
        "published": "2026-08-30T08:27:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}