A major pipeline carrying gas from northern Iraq to power stations has been hit by an explosion.
The cause of the blast and the subsequent fire to the Kirkuk pipeline is yet unknown.
“A blast and fire halted gas flow through a domestic pipeline transporting gas to power stations in Baiji, Mosul and Taji near Baghdad at 3:30 am local time,” said Iraqi oil ministry spokesman Asim Jihad.
“The reason behind the blast is not clear yet and our crew has started repair work which could take 2-3 days”.
This is the second time in seven days the pipeline operations have been affected. On Saturday a bomb attack stopped the oil flow to Ceyhan in Turkey.
But despite the increasing troubles, Russia’s Lukoil has announced interest in the ageing Kirkuk oilfield.
Lukoil is already operating the West Qurna-2 oilfield in southern Iraq where production is expected to start by the end of this year.
BP is another party interested in the region, withh the British international having already signed an initial agreement with Baghdad over two geological formations of the region, Baba and Avana.