Afren pushes for Iraq oil production by yearend

Aug. 22, 2012
Afren PLC said it is on track to deliver gross production of a combined 10,000-15,000 b/d by the end of 2012 from the first three wells in Barda Rash field on the Barda Rash block in the Kuridstan Region of Iraq.

Afren PLC said it is on track to deliver gross production of a combined 10,000-15,000 b/d by the end of 2012 from the first three wells in Barda Rash field on the Barda Rash block in the Kuridstan Region of Iraq.

Extensive tests began at the 2009 BR-1 discovery well on July 7, 2012. The tests have yielded rates in excess of 6,000 b/d of 28-32° gravity oil and valuable information on the production characteristics of the Mus/Adiayah reservoir. The well is being completed for long term production.

Produced oil to the required sales specification will flow to storage tanks that have been installed as part of the initial development phase ahead of sale into the domestic market.

As part of the field’s development, Afren will next seek to reenter, rework, test, and commission the BR-2 and BR-3 wells for tieback to the early production facility at the central BR-1 well location.

After completing this initial phase, the company will start drilling and completing multiple development wells in order to build production to a planned trucking capacity of 35,000 b/d and ultimately to a targeted 125,000 b/d by 2017.

Later, Afren will focus on the development and production of the heavier oil resources, which will offer further large scale production growth. Afren has a 60% interest in the block.