|
DNO released a status report on its
operations in Kurdistan
18.9.2006
|
|
|
|
DNO ASA,
September 18, .2006
DNO ASA (DNO.NO) is pleased to release a status
report on its operations in Kurdistan (northern
Iraq)
Tawke operations
Following the testing of the discovery well Tawke #
1 in June 2006 a twin well, Tawke # 1A, was drilled
at a location some 20 meters from the discovery
well. The main objective of the twin well was to
repeat the testing of the shallower reservoir
sections (< 1000 meters) in open hole mode, in order
to eliminate formation damage assumed to be caused
during installation and cementing of casing in the
discovery well.
A maximum flow rate of approximately 5,000 barrels
of oil per day was achieved during open hole testing
of Tawke # 1A. This flow rate was achieved from the
same reservoir interval which also tested 5,000 BOPD
in Tawke # 1. Tawke # 1A will now be completed as a
future oil producer. |
 |
The open hole testing of the other reservoir zones
in the shallower sections in Tawke # 1A did not
provide conclusive results. This could be as a
result of lower productivity, formation damage
caused by drilling fluids, or a combination of both.
The results will be further investigated and
additional testing of these intervals is planned to
be undertaken in the next well, Tawke # 2. During
testing of Tawke # 2 a more extensive acid
stimulation and fracturing of the reservoir sections
will be considered.
Tawke # 2 will be drilled as an appraisal well
penetrating the shallower reservoir sections only (<
1.000 meters) and the well is located some 2 km to
the west of Tawke # 1 & 1A. Following the drilling
of Tawke # 2 appraisal well, the plan is to drill an
exploration well within the eastern part of the
Tawke area.
As part of the program to assess the full oil
potential of the Tawke area, DNO is currently
performing a 3D seismic survey across the area. This
will serve as an important input to the location of
future production and appraisal / exploration wells
within the area.
The two deeper reservoir zones (> 2000 meters) which
were penetrated in Tawke # 1 were not penetrated in
Tawke #1A. These reservoir zones have been preserved
behind casing in Tawke # 1 and will be tested at a
later stage.
In order to accelerate drilling of additional
production wells into the shallower reservoir
sections a smaller carrier rig is expected to be
mobilized into the PSA area during the fourth
quarter of 2006. This rig may also be used to test
the deeper reservoir sections in Tawke # 1. At
completion of the additional testing of Tawke # 1,
the well be completed as a future oil producer.
Tawke Early Production Plan
The reservoir interval which tested 5,000 BOPD in
Tawke # 1 and 1A, forms the basis for the Early
Production Plan for the Tawke oil discovery. The
development plan is now nearing completion and all
major facilities are secured. It is expected that
the development plan will be finalized and presented
to our partner Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)
in the near future. First oil production from Tawke
could commence during 1st Quarter 2007.
Exploration in other areas of the PSA's
A second drilling rig was mobilized into the PSA
area during July. The rig is currently drilling the
first well at the Khanke prospect (Khanke # 1). The
well is expected to reach its total planned drilling
depth of 3.500 meters within the next 30 days. The
next well location is contingent on the results from
Khanke # 1 and DNO has identified several additional
exploration prospects within the PSA area.
Plans are also being made to continue with 2D
seismic acquisition in areas of the PSA's that are
presently unexplored. This work program is scheduled
to commence after the 3D seismic acquisition which
is due to be completed in October.
Commenting on the results Managing Director Helge
Eide says:
"We are very pleased with the progress of our
operations in Kurdistan to date. Achieving our near
term target to produce the first oil from Tawke
during first quarter of next year will mark another
important milestone to KRG and DNO.
With our increased rig capacity we will also be in a
position to accelerate our drilling activities with
the view to assess the full potential of the Tawke
area as well as exploring additional prospective
structures within the PSA area."
DNO ASA
September 18, 2006
Contact: Helge Eide
Managing Director. Telephone: (+47) 23 23 84 80
Top |
Kurd Net
does not take credit for and is not responsible for the content of news
information on this page
|
® 