Oryx: Successful Appraisal Well at Banan Field

Oryx Petroleum Announces Successful Appraisal Well at the Banan field

Oryx Petroleum has announced an update on the drilling of an appraisal well targeting the Tertiary reservoir at the Banan field in the Hawler license area in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

As at December 31, 2017, 26 million barrels (“bbl”) of unrisked gross (100%) best estimate (2C) contingent oil resources sub-classified as development unclarified (risked: 13 million bbl) were attributed to the Banan Tertiary reservoir by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. based on data obtained during the drilling of the Banan-2 well in 2014.

In late May and early June 2018, the Banan-3 well was drilled to a depth of approximately 500 metres and completed in open hole partially penetrating the Tertiary reservoir. Oil production from the well has been enabled by the use of a jet pump and has averaged approximately 1,500 bbl/d with 50 scf/stb of gas and no water over the last six days of uninterrupted production.

The stock tank oil has a gravity of 26 degrees API. The Corporation intends to continue the extended production test of the well with the objective of assessing the well’s performance, identifying options for increasing production and obtaining information to refine plans for additional appraisal of the Banan Tertiary reservoir.

Crude oil produced at the Banan field is currently hauled to the Hawler tanker terminal where it is offloaded and then pumped to the Demir Dagh storage system. It is blended with crude oil produced from other Hawler license area wells before being exported through the Kurdistan Region-Turkey Export Pipeline.

Based on results from the Banan-3 well, the Corporation expects that, in its reserves report for year-end December 31, 2018, oil reserves will be attributed to the Banan Tertiary reservoir.

The drilling of the Zey Gawra-3 well targeting the Cretaceous reservoir at the Zey Gawra field in the Hawler license area is in progress with results expected in the coming weeks. The Zey Gawra-3 well is the first well to be drilled in the Hawler license area utilising a horizontal well design.

The drilling or re-entry of wells targeting the Banan Cretaceous, Banan Tertiary and Demir Dagh Cretaceous reservoirs are planned, subject to performance of existing wells, in the second half of 2018.

Commenting today, Oryx Petroleum’s Chief Executive Officer, Vance Querio (pictured), stated:

“We are very pleased to have resumed operations at the Banan field with a successful appraisal well targeting the Tertiary reservoir. The average production rate achieved thus far is consistent with expectations and export of the oil is proceeding smoothly.

“Total average daily crude oil production from the Hawler license area is now approximately 5,300 barrels per day. The drilling of the Zey Gawra-3 well targeting the Cretaceous reservoir is in progress with results expected in the coming weeks. The drilling or re-entry of four more wells is planned for the second half of 2018 subject to the performance of existing wells.”

(Source: Oryx Petroleum)

Petrel Resources takes €4.1m Impairment on Iraq

By John Lee.

Irish-based Petrel Resources has taken a €4.1 million impairment of its investment in Iraq:

In August 2013, Petrel did a deal with Amira in Iraq whereby, for US$500,000 in cash plus 18,947,368 initial consideration shares (which were to be locked-in until spudding of the first oil well by our partners), Petrel acquired a 5% full free carry in Amira’s activities in the Wasit province in Iraq which was then, and still is, a relatively stable Shia dominated province. 

“The expectation was that provinces in Iraq would offer licences in their own right rather than solely through the central government in Baghdad.  This did not happen.  In fact, nothing happened.  As mentioned above, we have therefore impaired our investment.

However, the company said it remains interested in oil opportunities in Iraq:

Iraq remains one of the very best oil provinces in the world.  The oil exploration potential is outstanding.  The improving political situation in Iraq has resulted in Petrel re-awakening an interest.  We have been there since 1999 and like the country. 

“We are discussing with Amira, our partner, how best to declare an interest in certain fields.  We are also re-establishing contacts in the administration.  It is very early days, but it does look as if Iraq is slowly re-opening for business, and we want to be there.

(Source: Petrel Resources)

Exxon Out of Desalination Project

By John Lee.

Talks between ExxonMobil and Iraq on the multi-billion-dollar Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP) have reportedly broken down.

According to Reuters, the director general of the Basra Oil Company (BOC) told reporters that the BOC will award the contract through a tender process, which it expects to complete at the end of July.

It adds that the BOC has already shortlisted three companies from an initial list of seven for the contract.

(Source: Reuters)

Genel, DNO, receive KRG Payment for March

By John Lee.

Genel Energy and DNO have said that the Tawke partners have received $62.19 million from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) as payment for March 2018 crude oil deliveries to the export market from the Tawke licence.

Genel’s net share of the payment is $15.52 million.

The Taq Taq partners have received a gross payment of $6.20 million from the KRG for oil sales during March 2018; Genel’s net share of this payment is $3.41 million.

Genel has also received an override payment of $8.37 million from the KRG, representing 4.5% of Tawke gross licence revenues for the month of March 2018, as per the terms of the Receivable Settlement Agreement.

In total, Genel’s net share of payments relating to March 2018 exports totals $27.30 million.

(Source: Genel Energy)

GKP Receives Further Payment from KRG

By John Lee.

Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has confirmed that a gross payment of $19.7 million ($15.5 million net to GKP) has been received from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for Shaikan crude oil sales during March 2018.

(Source: GKP)

Video: Angelina Jolie visits Devastated Mosul

From AFP. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie visits West Mosul, less than a year after the city’s liberation.

The visit marks Jolie’s 61st mission – and her fifth visit to Iraq – with the UN Refugee Agency since 2001.

She arrives in the city on the second day of the Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

View on YouTube

Investment Opportunity: Pharmaceutical Plant in Samarra

By John Lee.

The National Investment Commission (NIC), and the State Company for Drugs and Medical Appliances, have announced an opportunity to invest in the rehabilitation, modernization and operation of the Samarra drugs plant.

In a statement, the NIC said:

It invites reliable Arab and foreign companies directly or their agents – not mediator or supported – to participate in this investment opportunity to rehabilitate and modernize this plant on basisof participating in management, production, increasing the production capacities and take pasrt in this valuable opportunity to satisfy the Iraqi market demands and for the economic feasibility and the realizable privileges for the investors such as the availability of the essential materials for production .

“Willing investors can obtain the investment profile from the company HQ in Samarra as per the companies law no. 22 for the year 1997 as amended, article 15/3rd ; for an amount of (500,000) IDR non- refundable.

“The company shall offer all detailed information and facilitate the visit to the plan. Applications shall be according to the terms stated in the investment profile , provided that applications should be submitted by a sealed envelope before the end of the work time of Thursday 12.07.2018.

You may also visit the website www.sdisamarra.com

More details can be downloaded here (English from page 43)

(Source: National Investment Commission)

Kirkuk-Baiji-Baghdad Pipeline Opens

By John Lee.

Iraqi Oil Minister Jabar Ali al-Luaibi [Allibi, Luiebi] (pictured) has announced that the Kirkuk-Baiji-Baghdad pipeline is now operational.

According to a statement from the Ministry, the 16-inch crude oil pipeline was completed in record time.

Running for 180 kilometers, the pipeline will supply the refineries of Baiji and Daura, and the Quds power station in the north of Baghdad, at a rate of 40,000 barrels per day (bpd).

(Source: Ministry of Oil)

Chevron signs Contracts with Iraqi Oil Companies

By John Lee.

The US oil company Chevron has signed an agreement with Iraq’s Basra Oil Company (BOC) and Dhi Qar Oil Company (DQOC) to provide expertise and services, including seismic surveys, to the Iraqi companies.

Assim Jihad, Spokesman for the Ministry of Oil, said the Ministry aims to sign more memorandums of understanding with international companies to exchange experience and develop local capabilities in the oil and gas sector.

(Source: Ministry of Oil)

Oil Ministry makes first Direct Shipment of Crude

By John Lee.

Iraq’s Ministry of Oil has made its first direct shipment of crude oil since 1991.

The two-million barrel shipment was made via its subsidiary company, the Iraqi Oil Tankers Company (IOTC).

It will be delivered to a US-based customer of the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO).

(Source: Ministry of Oil)