The West Qurna-2 oil field.Image: imago stock&people
The Iran war has also put pressure on operations in Iraqi oil fields. This now has concrete consequences.
June 25, 2026, 05:46June 25, 2026, 05:46
As a result of the Iran war, one of the most important oil fields in Iraq has had to cease operations. The operator of the West Qurna-2 oil field in southern Iraq’s Basra province said crude oil production and storage operations had been completely suspended. The company cited the unforeseeable effects of the Iran war in the region, such as the lack of availability of oil tankers.
Iraq had already cut its crude oil production in March and declared force majeure for certain oil fields due to the consequences of the war that broke out on February 28 between Iran, the USA and Israel.
Oil field had to cut production
In international trade, the term “force majeure” is used for events that are neither foreseeable nor avoidable and cannot be averted by appropriate means, as can be found at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce IHK. Force majeure clauses protect companies from the consequences of such events if contractual obligations can no longer be fulfilled.
The West Qurna-2 oil field had to significantly reduce its production in March. It was currently in the process of being restarted.
West Qurna-2 is currently operated by an Iraqi company after Russian energy company Lukoil withdrew from the project due to US sanctions. Due to its huge reserves, it is considered one of the so-called super giants among Iraq’s oil fields.