Who Let The Gas Out?

The Attack That Plunged a Region into Darkness

In the early hours of November 27, 2025, an explosive-laden drone struck the Khor Mor gas field in Sulaimani province, Iraqi Kurdistan, igniting a massive fire in a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage tank. Operated by UAE-based Dana Gas as part of the Pearl Petroleum consortium, Khor Mor is the lifeline of the region's energy sector, supplying over 80% of the natural gas needed for electricity generation.

The strike forced an immediate shutdown of all production and gas exports, triggering widespread blackouts across Kurdistan. Cities like Erbil and Sulaimaniyah were left in the dark, with an estimated loss of 2,600 megawatts of power—disrupting 80% of the grid. No casualties were reported, but the incident echoed a deadly 2024 drone attack at the same site that killed four workers.

Read Al Jazeera's full report on the initial strike for eyewitness accounts and immediate aftermath details.

A Pattern of Vulnerability: Repeated Strikes on Energy Infrastructure

This isn't an isolated event. Khor Mor, spanning 135 square kilometers with 8.2 trillion cubic feet of proven reserves, has faced over a dozen unclaimed rocket and drone attacks in recent years. Kurdish officials, including Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leader Bafel Talabani, condemned the latest as a "terrorist act" and demanded enhanced security from Baghdad.

Suspicions point to Iran-backed militias operating from federal Iraq, amid escalating regional tensions involving Iran-Israel conflicts and U.S. policy shifts. The timing—days before a planned visit by U.S. envoy Mark Savaya—has fueled speculation of broader geopolitical maneuvering. As one analyst noted, these strikes "undermine the Region’s push toward gas self-sufficiency and deepen dependence on costly imports."

For context on the field's history and prior attacks, check out Shafaq News' in-depth analysis.

Immediate Impacts: Blackouts and Economic Ripples

The shutdown halted gas flows to power plants, causing a sharp drop in electricity supply. Residents faced hours-long outages, with the Ministry of Electricity urging calm while teams worked to contain the blaze. Broader effects include potential spikes in LPG prices and disruptions to daily life, reminiscent of the 2024 outage that slashed production by 150,000 barrels a day.

Globally, while the field isn't a major LNG exporter, such incidents highlight fragile supply chains in a volatile region, indirectly pressuring energy markets.

Visuals of the fire and blackouts can be seen in The Economic Times' coverage, including Rudaw footage.

Recovery in Motion: Lights Flickering Back On

By November 29, trial shipments of remaining LPG resumed, with full gas exports expected soon. Dana Gas reported production ramping up past 500 million cubic feet per day, aiming for 750 million by year-end. Engineers emptied tanks for safety, and joint investigations by Kurdish, federal, and U.S.-backed teams are underway.

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani called for international support to prevent future attacks, emphasizing that "repeated assaults on vital infrastructure cannot be tolerated."

Latest updates on resumption from Shafaq News detail the step-by-step return to normalcy.

What Lies Ahead? A Call for Fortified Security

As Kurdistan edges toward energy independence—with plans to export gas via Turkey to Europe—these attacks serve as stark reminders of the stakes. Enhanced defenses, clearer accountability from Baghdad, and diplomatic pressure on militias are crucial to safeguard this asset.

In a world where energy is both power and vulnerability, incidents like Khor Mor's underscore the human cost of geopolitical games. Stay informed as investigations unfold.

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