Norway’s DNO International has started production from the first horizontal well at the Tawke field in the Kurdistan region of Iraq at a record rate of 25,000 barrels a day (b/d).

The Tawke-20 horizontal well had previously flowed at an average of 8,000 b/d during testing, according to a 22 July company statement.  

The well has now been placed on production, but is subject to wellbore and surface facilities limitations.

DNO is currently producing 100,000 b/d and is targeting 200,000 b/d of production from the field by 2015. The company is currently drilling a second horizontal well, Tawke-23, and preparing to start drilling a third horizontal well, Tawke-21.

DNO holds a 55 per cent interest in the Tawke production sharing license which it operates. The UK/Turkish joint venture Genel Energy holds 25 per cent and the Kurdistan Regional Government the remaining 20 per cent interest.