Special to WorldTribune.com

BAGHDAD — Islamic State of Iraq and Levant has failed to stop energy exploration in Iraq’s Kurdistan.

The Kurdistan Regional Government has overseen the development of light oil reserves in northern Iraq. The autonomous government has been working with Gas Plus Khalakan on the Shewashan discovery, deemed commercial.

“We are pleased with this new light oil discovery which will contribute to our stated target of one million barrels of oil per day by the end of 2015, early in 2016,” KRG Energy Minister Ashti Hawrami said.

Shewashan, which encompasses 122 square kilometers, was undergoing development amid the ISIL war in northern Iraq, which at one point threatened the Kurdistan capital of Irbil.

Officials said Kurdish forces, aided by Iran and NATO, were succeeding in holding or pushing back ISIL.

  continues oil exploration, Kurdistan stiff arms ISIL, WorldTribune.com