Afren Updates on Kurdistan Operations

By John Lee.

As part of its half-year results, Afren has issued the following update on its operations in Iraqi Kurdistan:

Barda Rash

Approximately 18,800 barrels of oil were held in storage during 1H 2013. Preliminary crude oil sales to the local market have commenced with initial sales of 1,300 bopd achieved since 8 July 2013. Production is planned to be initially ramped up to 5,000 as the surface facilities and well performance are stabilised and continuity of sales monitored.

The Partners commenced drilling on the BR-5 well in March 2013 using the Romfor-23 drilling rig which is currently drilling ahead at around 7,200 ft and commenced drilling the BR-4 in May using the Viking I-10 rig, which is currently drilling ahead at around 10,200 ft. The wells will test the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic reservoirs previously identified on the structure.

Ain Sifni

During the first half of 2013, Operator Hunt Oil completed testing of the Simrit-2 well with aggregate flow rates of 19,641 bopd achieved from the planned Drill Stem Test (DST) programme. The well is currently being completed for an Extended Well Test (EWT) in the Jurassic age, Mus/Adaiyah reservoirs.

Produced crude is expected to be trucked to local markets. The Simrit-3 well, exploring the eastern extent of the large scale Simrit anticline reached a final maximum depth of 12,300 ft in the Triassic Kurra-Chine formation in 1H 2013 encountering hydrocarbon bearing intervals in the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic reservoirs.