DNO makes oil discovery in Kurdistan’s Peshkabir field

DNO ASA reported that it has discovered oil in the Cretaceous horizon in the southern flank of Peshkabir field with the Peshkabir-2 well, currently being drilled in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

The well flowed at a stable rate of 3,800 b/d of 28° gravity oil through a 52/64-in. choke from an open hole test of a 170-m interval. Pressure data supported by observations of oil shows from cuttings and side-wall cores indicate a Cretaceous oil interval larger than 300 m.

Peshkabir-2 was spudded in October 2016 to explore the Cretaceous horizon and appraise the previously tested deeper Jurassic reservoir on a 2012 discovery 18 km west of DNO’s flagship Tawke field (OGJ Online, Oct. 12, 2016).

Following acquisition of 3D seismic, Peshkabir-2 was originally planned for 2015 but delayed following the drop in world oil prices and interruption in payments for the company’s production and exports from Kurdistan.

The well is expected to reach total depth of 3,500 m and will be completed in the Jurassic by early February. Pre-spud estimates for drilling, open hole testing of the Cretaceous, and completion stood at $17.5 million.

DNO is considering a number of options to step-up appraisal of the discovery including a geological side-track in the central part of the Peshkabir structure or a third well. Options are also under consideration for possible early Peshkabir production and trucking to DNO’s gathering, processing and export facilities at Fish Khabur some 12 km away.

The company plans to provide an update on the resource potential of both the Cretaceous and Jurassic horizons following post-well evaluation of all data acquired during Peshkabir-2 operations.

DNO operates the Tawke license, which contains Peshkabir field, holding 55% working interest. Genel Energy PLC and the Kurdistan regional government hold a respective 25% and 20%.