An explosion rocked the West Qurna 2 oil field in southern Iraq on July 14, 2025, forcing the suspension of operations and raising concerns over the country’s oil output. 


The blast, reported at 3:00 AM local time, occurred near a processing unit, injuring five workers and causing a fire that took six hours to control, according to Iraq’s Oil Ministry. Production, which averages 400,000 barrels per day, was halted, contributing to a 5% drop in national output, with global oil prices spiking 2% to $85 per barrel.

Initial investigations suggest a technical fault, possibly linked to aging infrastructure, though sabotage rumors circulate amid regional tensions with Iran-backed militias. ExxonMobil, the field’s operator alongside Iraq’s Basra Oil Company, deployed 100 engineers to assess damage, expecting a week-long shutdown. 

Local residents reported smoke clouds, prompting evacuations, while the government vowed a thorough probe. The incident underscores Iraq’s reliance on oil, which accounts for 90% of its revenue, and the fragility of its energy sector amid ongoing repairs from past conflicts.