By John Lee. Iraqi oil minister Jabar Ali al-Luaibi [Allibi] has directed the Iraqi Oil Exploration Company (OEC) to start exploring Iraq's coastal waters for new oil and gas reserves. Addressing an OEC conference, the Minister also emphasised the need to focus on areas bordering neighbouring countries. Iraq recently declared an additional 10 billion barrels […]
Russia's Rosneft group has started drilling its first exploration well at Block 12 in Iraq. The Salman-1 well will be drilled to the measured depth of 4,245 m through Kurra Chine target horizon to be followed by further testing of five prospective targets. The Company plans to complete drilling in July 2017. Company of Rosneft […]
By Padraig O'Hannelly. The Kurdistan Regional Government's Minister of Natural Resources, Dr Ashti Hawrami, has announced that 20 new and redrawn oil blocks will become available for bidding in 2017. Speaking at this week’s Kurdistan-Iraq Oil & Gas Conference in London, arranged by CWC Group, the Minister said that contract terms "will continue to be […]
By John Lee. ExxonMobil has reportedly pulled out of three of the six exploration blocks it operated in Iraqi Kurdistan. According to Iraq Oil Report, it has abandoned the Qara Hanjeer, Arbat East, and Betwata blocks, while retaining 80 percent stakes in the Al Qosh, Pirmam and Bashiqa blocks. KRG's Minister of Natural Resources, Ashti […]
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) of the Kurdistan Regional Government-Iraq (KRG) invites expressions of interest from qualified international mining companies for the ‘Mineral Exploration & Investment in the Kurdistan Region-Iraq’. According to the available data, historical reports, and recent investigations, the MNR has identified 7 prospective blocks for investment. All 7 blocks are believed […]
Russia's Bashneft has completed field seismic surveys at Block 12 as part of the geological exploration programme approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Oil. The Oil Exploration Company, an Iraqi company specializing in geological and geophysical exploration, which won the open tender in the spring of 2014, has been employed as a contractor to conduct […]
Gazprom Neft is to conduct a 2D seismic survey on the south-eastern section of the Halabja block. The technical equipment and personnel required for the survey are currently being transferred from the south-western section, where the company has already successfully completed a survey spanning 225 linear km. 2D seismic surveys covering approximately 870 linear km […]
By John Lee. Turkish energy minister Taner Yildiz said today that agreements with Iraqi administrations open the door for Turkish oil exploration in Iraqi Kurdistan: "We have agreements with Baghdad and [the government in] northern Iraq ... In the frame of these agreements, we will explore for oil there ... "There can be an additional […]
LUKOIL has finished its 2D seismic survey at Block 10 in southern Iraq. The seismic survey began in April 2014 and covered 2,000 linear kilometers. It was completed according to the highest standards six months ahead of schedule. The acquired seismic data will be processed and interpreted to identify promising sites for exploration drilling. The […]
By Patrick M Schmidt. The Russian state-owned oil company, Gazprom, is expected to launch exploration operations in Halabja province before the end of the year. The province is located in the region of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and lays close to the Iran-Iraq border. If they find enough oil reserves, the company will begin […]
By John Lee. Oil Search Limited has reported that the Taza 2 well in Kurdistan was drilled to a depth of 10,679 feet (3,255 meters), and the company was preparing to drill ahead in an 8.5 inch hole. During the week, the well penetrated the Jeribe Formation, encountering hydrocarbon shows in line with prognosis, and […]
The KRG Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) announces the publication of its first Monthly Report. The Report contains the latest information on production and export in the Kurdistan Region, domestic refining and consumption, well activity, rig counts and map, employment figures and updates on Production Sharing Contracts. The report will help interested citizens, companies and […]
