Drone strikes damage Iraq oil infrastructure
16 July 2025
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An oil field operated by US-based HKN Energy in Duhok Province in Iraq's semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan was set on fire after being hit by a drone missile, heightening concerns about security in the region.
HKN Energy issued a statement saying it had stopped production at the Sarsang oil field after the attack. No casualties have been reported.
The attack on the Sarsang field, which took place early in the morning on 15 July, was the latest in a series of similar attacks launched recently against oil facilities in Iraqi Kurdistan. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The attack took place on the same day that HKN Energy announced it had signed a preliminary agreement with Iraq’s Oil Ministry to develop the Himreen oil field in northern Iraq.
HKN Energy is a private US oil and gas company, owned by Hillwood Energy – part of the Hillwood group, which was founded by real estate developer and businessman Ross Perot Jr. The company is active in Iraqi Kurdistan.
The attack on the Sarsang oil field occurred less than 24 hours after a drone attack on the Khurmala oil field in Iraq's Erbil Province.
According to the Natural Resources Ministry of the Kurdistan Regional Government, two drones loaded with explosives struck the Khurmala field late on 14 July, damaging water pipes but causing no casualties.
MEED’s June 2025 report on Iraq includes:
> COMMENT: Iraq maintains its pace, for now
> GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY: Iraq’s economy faces brewing storm
> OIL & GAS: Iraqi energy project value hits decade-high level
> PIPELINES: Revival of Syrian oil export route could benefit Iraq
> POWER: Iraq power sector turns a page
> CONSTRUCTION: Iraq pours billions into housing and infrastructure projects
> DATABANK: Iraq forecast dips on lower oil prices
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Bahrain and US sign nuclear energy agreement
17 July 2025
Bahrain and the US have signed a cooperation agreement covering the field of peaceful nuclear energy.
The agreement aims to enhance collaboration in nuclear energy, recognising its vital role in sustainable development and energy security. It aligns with Bahrain's ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 and contributes to global efforts to combat climate change.
As Bahrain explores alternative energy sources, senior officials have previously indicated to MEED that they are closely monitoring developments in small modular reactor (SMR) technology. This is particularly crucial for Bahrain, where limited land availability poses challenges for solar energy projects. Floating solar plants have been identified as a potential solution, but the exploration of nuclear energy and SMRs remains a priority for future energy diversification.
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> AGENDA: UAE-Turkiye trade gains momentum> INTERVIEW 1: Building on UAE-Turkiye trade> INTERVIEW 2: Turkiye's Kalyon goes global> INTERVIEW 3: Strengthening UAE-Turkiye financial links> INTERVIEW 4: Turkish Airlines plans further growth> CURRENT AFFAIRS: Middle East tensions could reduce gas investments> GCC REAL ESTATE: Gulf real estate faces a more nuanced reality> PROJECTS MARKET: GCC projects market collapses> INTERVIEW 5: Hassan Allam eyes role in Saudi Arabia’s transformation> INTERVIEW 6: Aseer region seeks new investments for Saudi Arabia> LEADERSHIP: Nuclear power makes a global comeback> LEVANT MARKET FOCUS: Levant states wrestle regional pressures> GULF PROJECTS INDEX: Gulf projects index continues climb> CONTRACT AWARDS: Mena contract award activity remains subdued> ECONOMIC DATA: Data drives regional projects> OPINION: A farcical tragedy that no one can endTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/14281751/main.jpeg -
Kuwaiti firm wins $53m Duqm coastal road contract
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The infrastructure construction sector is estimated to grow by 5.7% in 2025, before recording an annual average growth of 5.2% between 2026 and 2029, supported by the government’s investment in upgrading road and airport infrastructure.
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Algeria awards $855m contract for gas production project
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Algeria’s national oil and gas company Sonatrach has awarded an $855m contract to China’s Jereh Group for a project to develop facilities at the Rhourde Nouss gas field.
Jereh Group said that its subsidiary Jereh Oil & Gas Engineering will build a natural gas booster station in the Rhourde Nouss gas field and upgrade and renovate related transmission pipelines.
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Jereh's growing footprint
Jereh has been expanding overseas in recent years and has won contracts with major Middle Eastern oil and gas clients, including Saudi Aramco, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.
In June 2021, the company was awarded a contract for the design, procurement and construction of a gas debottlenecking project in Algeria.
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Riyadh Expo appointments are the launchpad for construction
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Commentary
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EditorIt has been nearly two years since Saudi Arabia was selected as the host country for the World Expo 2030.
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The pace of tendering and contract awards will ramp up sharply over the next two years. Experience from Dubai, which hosted Expo 2020, shows that after being initially selected for the event, a period of about two years follows as bureaucratic structures are established. It is worth noting that Dubai appointed its PMC team, comprising UK-based Mace and US-based CH2M (now part of Jacobs), in December 2014.
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For Riyadh, which is hosting the event exactly 10 years later, there will need to be a similar value and volume of work awarded during 2026-28 if the project is to be finished in time for 2030.
READ THE JULY 2025 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFUAE and Turkiye expand business links; Renewed hope lies on the horizon for trouble-beset Levant region; Gulf real estate momentum continues even as concerns emerge
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the July 2025 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
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