An oil pipeline exploded north of Kirkuk due to pumping pressure.
An oil pipeline exploded north of Kirkuk due to pumping pressure.
2026-04-07
Shafaq News – Kirkuk
A security source reported on Tuesday that an explosion occurred in an oil pipeline in the southern Bai Hassan area, north of Kirkuk province, due to excessive pressure during pumping operations, raising concerns about the recurrence of such incidents in oil infrastructure.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that the explosion caused an oil leak at the site of the incident, without any human casualties, explaining that the incident occurred while the pipeline was operating at high pressure, which caused a sudden technical malfunction and the explosion of the pipe.
He added that maintenance and civil defense teams rushed to the scene of the accident as soon as it occurred, where they began to temporarily stop pumping operations as a “precautionary measure,” and to work to contain the oil spill and prevent it from spreading to neighboring areas, especially the agricultural lands near the site of the accident.
The source indicated that the competent authorities have opened an urgent technical investigation to determine the causes of the accident and accurately identify the nature of the malfunction, as well as to assess the damage to the pipeline and the surrounding facilities, in preparation for rehabilitating the line and returning it to service as soon as possible.
In this context, energy expert Ali Khalil warned of the recurrence of such incidents if comprehensive periodic maintenance of oil pipelines is not carried out, stressing that high pressure inside the transmission lines without careful monitoring could lead to significant damage and perhaps more serious accidents in the future.
Khalil told Shafaq News Agency that the oil infrastructure in some areas is clearly outdated, making it more prone to malfunctions and explosions, noting that relying on old systems without updating them increases the likelihood of similar incidents.
He added that the solution lies in adopting modern monitoring systems for pumping pressure, conducting thorough periodic inspections of pipes, as well as replacing damaged or worn-out parts, stressing the need to strengthen industrial safety procedures and train technical personnel to deal with emergencies.
He stressed that such incidents, even if they do not result in human casualties, may cause environmental and economic damage as a result of oil spillage and its impact on soil and water, urging that they be dealt with more seriously and that preventive plans be put in place to avoid their recurrence.
It is worth noting that the Kirkuk oil fields are among the most prominent sources of production in Iraq, and witness continuous activity in pumping and transportation operations, which requires continuous monitoring and maintenance procedures to ensure the safety of the infrastructure and the continuity of production without interruption.
shafaq.com
