SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Two bombs went off at two oil wells in Bai Hassan oilfield northwest of Kirkuk on Saturday, the Iraqi oil ministry said.
In a statement, the oil ministry said state-owned North Oil Company had reaffirmed the two wells had subjected to a “terrorist act”, carried out by two improvised explosive devices (IED).
“The explosion did not affect production or halt oil exports,” the ministry added.
It further said the security forces had launched an investigation into the incident.
There are three oilfields, Bai Hassan, Baba Gurgur and Havana, in Kirkuk province, together producing more than 370,000 barrels per day.
A police officer told Anadolu Agency that Islamic State (ISIS) militants were likely behind the attack that targeted well No. 105 in Bai Hassan oilfield in Dibis district, northwest of Kirkuk.
The oil ministry said the blasts did not cause fire or casualties. The police officer, however, said “works are ongoing to extinguish the fire”.
The federal government announced victory over ISIS by the end of 2017 after Iraqi and Kurdish forces backed by U.S.-led Coalition regained control of areas once captured by the militant group.
Despite its defeat, ISIS still poses a threat to the security and stability of the country as there are still sleeper cells in Iraq.
