DNO hits Cretaceous gas in Dohuk, Iraq Kurdistan

June 6, 2011
DNO International ASA, Oslo, has gauged a flow of 4 MMscfd of gas through a 24/64-in. choke on an open hole test after drilling 25 m into the Cretaceous interval at the Summail-1 exploratory well on the Dohuk license in Iraqi Kurdistan.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, June 6
– DNO International ASA, Oslo, has gauged a flow of 4 MMscfd of gas through a 24/64-in. choke on an open hole test after drilling 25 m into the Cretaceous interval at the Summail-1 exploratory well on the Dohuk license in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Drilling will continue through the entire Cretaceous section, estimated to be 800 m thick, and testing will be undertaken as required. DNO will then set casing and drill into the Jurassic and Triassic intervals.

Meanwhile, on the Erbil license, test production at the Bastora-1A horizontal sidetrack has stabilized at 1,700-1,800 b/d compared with early rates of 2,000-2,300 b/d of 18-19° gravity oil on a downhole jet pump. Produced crude is trucked to Tawke oil field facilities on the Tawke license, which DNO operates with 55% interest.

The 600-m horizontal section was drilled through one of the oil-filled carbonate zones with the objectives of penetrating multiple fracture systems to enhance productivity and furthermore enabling the well to be used in an early production concept.

Flow-tests will continue in order to acquire more production and reservoir information that will serve as an important input to the development plan to be prepared for the Bastora and Benenan oil discoveries. DNO will issue a declaration of commercial discovery for the two discoveries to the Kurdistan Regional Government by June 25, 2011.

DNO is operator of the Dohuk and Erbil licenses with 40% interest in each.

Meanwhile, DNO confirmed deposit to its account of $103.7 million for February and March crude oil exports previously approved for payment by the KRG.