US company abandons Iraq gas field after rocket attack

Employees from the Texan Exterran Corporation, a company that engages in oil and natural gas production, processing, treating, and transportation, returned to the Khor Mor gas field in northern Iraq last month to pick up where they left off. However, on July 25, two rockets hit the gas fields in northern Iraq, forcing the business to evacuate once more with no return date scheduled.

The expansion plan for Khor Mor, one of Iraq's largest gas fields, where Exterran Corp. operated, sought to increase production and profit for the companies as they hoped to steal Iraqi resources. 

The attacks caused no severe damage and did not interrupt existing operations, but the extension, which includes laying a second pipeline to Turkey at a later stage, has been halted until security in the area is guaranteed, according to the sources cited by Reuters.

After meeting the demands of the domestic market, the project, which is partially backed by a $250 million financing arrangement with the United States International Development Finance Corporation, plans to export gas to Turkey and Europe.

Exterran is the third contractor to leave the area since the assaults began on June 21, with two Turkish subcontractors, Havatek and Biltek, previously stopping operations.

Dana Gas did not respond to a request for comment. Exterran, Havatek, and Biltek all declined to comment as well.