EXCLUSIVE: Oryx to increase oil production in Iraqi Kurdistan

10 December 2017
Three new wells are planned in an effort to triple production

Oryx Petroleum is planning to drill three new wells in Iraq before mid-2018, according to a source close to the company’s operations.

The wells are part of an effort to push production from its Iraqi Kurdistan assets up to 12,000 barrels a day (b/d) before the start of 2019.

Currently all of Oryx Petroleum’s production in Iraqi Kurdistan comes from its Hawler field, which is producing a total of 4,000 b/d from three wells.

Oryx recently delayed some drilling due to increased political uncertainty and problems bringing equipment into the country – but it is still on track to drill the planned wells by mid-2018, according to the source.

Oil production in Iraqi Kurdistan has been plagued by disruption since the semi-autonomous region held a referendum on independence in September, increasing political tensions with federal Iraq and neighbouring Turkey, which is used as a route to transport crude exports.

Baghdad took control of the oil-producing Kirkuk region from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in October using military force.

The KRG gained full control of Kirkuk and its oil production when its military forces, known as the Peshmerga, moved in and replaced the Iraqi army in the area as Isis swept through northern Iraq in 2014.

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