DNO surpasses oil production milestone from Iraqi field

(WO) – DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, reported that cumulative oil production from its Peshkabir field in the Kurdistan region of Iraq has broken through the 100 MMbbl milestone less than six years after startup. The field was initially estimated to contain proven and probable reserves of 75 MMbbl commingled with associated gas.

In 2020, DNO completed a $110 million project to capture, transport and inject the commingled gas into the neighboring Tawke field to achieve the triple goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing oil recovery and saving gas for future use, in what is the first and only such project in Kurdistan.

“Even though Peshkabir has already delivered more oil than we thought it held, we now project that there are at least another 100 MMbbl still to be produced from this prolific field,” said DNO’s Executive Chairman Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani. “Team DNO has succeeded in getting oil out of the ground in record time and at industry beating costs while adjusting drainage strategy as understanding of the reservoir grows,” he added.

Mr. Mossavar-Rahmani went on to say that DNO firmly believes there are more Tawkes and Peshkabirs in Kurdistan and that the company is well positioned to find and tap them. Cumulative oil production from DNO’s currently operated fields is approaching 440 MMbbl.

Development of the Peshkabir field continues with the drilling of new wells and initiation of water and gas injection pilot projects to assess additional oil recovery potential. Earlier this month, field production was reduced from about 60,000 bopd to 43,000 bopd for maintenance workovers, including to replace downhole pumps.

Once completed, the company expects to recover full field oil production by end April and retain its 2023 production projection of 100,000 bopd for the Tawke license. DNO operates and has a 75% stake in this license containing the Tawke and Peshkabir fields with partner Genel Energy plc holding the balance.