The North Oil Company (NOC) has successfully restored gas pumping operations at the AB2 compression station in Kirkuk, following a swift emergency response to a technical malfunction early Saturday.

In a statement reported by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the Ministry of Oil confirmed that specialized engineering and technical teams finalized the first stage of restoration by 12:30 p.m. local time. The works included installing a new 20-inch valve, allowing gas flow to resume to the North Gas Company (NGC) facilities.

The restoration efforts were overseen directly by the NOC’s Director General, Amer Khalil Ahmed. The Ministry indicated that the site preparation and equipment reconnection began immediately after fire suppression activities were completed. According to earlier reports, the fire broke out at approximately 3:20 a.m. due to a gas leak in the metering system but was contained within two hours without casualties.

The Ministry emphasized that the entire operation was conducted under an approved emergency framework, adhering to strict technical and occupational safety standards. The rapid response was designed to secure the critical infrastructure, ensure the efficient continuity of gas supplies, and safeguard the workforce.

The AB2 station serves as a vital hub in northern Iraq, responsible for compressing associated gas produced from regional oilfields. This process is essential for maintaining pipeline pressure and enabling the transfer of raw gas to processing facilities, primarily the North Gas Company, for domestic power generation and industrial use.