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Genel Energy issues Update on Tawke

Genel Energy notes that DNO ASA, as operator of the Tawke PSC (Genel 25% working interest), has issued an update on licence activity.

Gross operated production from the Tawke licence averaged 110,300 bopd in 2020, about evenly split between the Tawke and Peshkabir fields, the sixth consecutive year in which gross Tawke licence production has averaged over 100,000 bopd.

With higher oil prices and more visibility on Kurdistan export payments, up to eight new development wells will be drilled at the Tawke licence and multiple workovers on existing producing wells will be undertaken in the drive to maintain production above 100,000 bopd.

Between the middle of 2020 and the end of the year, a total of 2.4 bcf of Peshkabir field gas, which otherwise would have been flared, was piped and reinjected into the Tawke field for pressure maintenance, leading to an estimated 200,000 barrels of incremental oil recovery and 400,000 barrels of reduced field water production. Another 0.3 bcf of gas were reinjected into the Peshkabir field itself.

(Source: Genel Energy)

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Deloitte Report on Kurdistan Region Oil and Gas

Deloitte report on Oil and Gas review in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region – Q1 to Q3 of 2020

The KRG’s Regional Council of Oil and Gas Affairs has published a report containing verified statistics covering the Kurdistan Region’s oil exports, consumption and revenues for period 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020.

The report, available in Kurdish, English and Arabic, provides a quarterly analysis of oil export information and average prices.

The data verification was performed by Deloitte.

Transparency being central to the cabinet agenda, the KRG regularly assesses what additional disclosures would enhance the transparency of its oil and gas sector. Accordingly, from 2019 the KRG started providing information on the prepayment balances it owes to oil traders and in 2020 disclosures are further extended to include reconciliation between production and exports and local consumptions.

The Regional Council for Oil and Gas Affairs acknowledges the positive feedback received so far from domestic and international stakeholders. The council reiterates its commitment to the people of Kurdistan that Deloitte will continue to independently review the region’s oil and gas sector.

A frequently asked questions handbook (also available in Kurdish, English and Arabic) will help readers to understand the report’s contents.

Click here to download the reports.

(Source: KRG)

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Iraq “makes major progress” in Closing IDP Camps

By Gilgamesh Nabeel for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

Iraq makes major progress in closing camps for the displaced

After six years of displacement, Iraq has closed around 62% of its remaining camps for internally displaced persons over the past six months and is planning to close all of them this year.

Click here to read the full story.

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Covid-19: Iraq Extends Travel Ban

Iraq’s Higher Committee for Health and National Safety held a meeting on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi.

The Committee reviewed the latest Covid-19 related developments and decided to:

  • Update the travel ban to include travel to and from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, the UK, the United States and Zambia.
  • Prohibit the entry into Iraq of passengers from these countries, except for Iraqi nationals who will be subject to a 14-day mandatory quarantine and a PCR test
  • Diplomats, official government delegations, international organizations, and experts working on service projects are exempt from the entry ban, provided they present a PCR test undertaken with 72 hours before their arrival and showing a negative result
  • Apply the principle of reciprocity to foreign airlines in imposing fees in relation to passenger PCR examinations
  • Public and private schools will continue to be allowed to open one day a week but must strictly apply preventive health measures
  • Direct all ministries and government departments to ensure that staff comply with preventative health measures, including the wearing of face masks. Members of the public not wearing face masks will not be allowed into government buildings
  • Shops, restaurants, malls, clubs, cafes, sport centres and event halls will face a fine not exceeding 5 million Iraqi dinars or a closure of no more than 90 days for violations of preventative health measures

(Source: Govt of Iraq)

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Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine to hit Iraq by February

By Fehim Tastekin for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

First doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to hit Iraq by February

Iraq has pushed hard to be among the world’s first countries to receive and distribute the vaccine after committing $170 million to COVAX, a global body to promote the vaccine.

Click here to read the full story.

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Iraq, Iran to launch Joint Investment Fund

By John Lee.

Iraq and Iran are to launch a fund to finance joint ventures between the two countries.

In his closing remarks to the Iran-Iraq Economic Conference on Wednesday, Iran’s Minister of Energy Reza Ardakanian said

“The proposal to establish a joint venture fund to support the private sector of the two countries was approved.”

The conference also discussed plans to establish a branch of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iraq.

(Source: Iranian Ministry of Energy)

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GKP Shares Rise following Update

By John Lee.

Shares in Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) closed the day up more than 5 percent on Wednesday, after the Kurdistan-focused oil producer provided an operational and corporate update to the markets.

Jón Ferrier, Gulf Keystone’s Chief Executive Officer, said:

“I am pleased to report that throughout 2020, Gulf Keystone successfully managed the challenging operating environment delivering record annual average production of over 36,600 bopd and in December, record monthly average production of over 43,000 bopd.

“Planned debottlenecking works have increased PF-1 production capacity to more than 30,000 bopd and the Company expects to deliver average gross production in 2021 of 40,000 to 44,000 bopd. We look forward to updating guidance once conditions allow resumption of the 55,000 bopd expansion.

“I would like to thank the team at GKP for their dedication and professionalism in what has been a challenging year for the E&P sector. I look forward to working closely with my successor, Jon Harris, to effect a smooth handover of responsibilities and I am confident of the continuing success of the Company.“

Operational

  • GKP’s continued strong focus on safety resulted in no Lost Time Incidents during 2020.
  • The Company has effectively managed to minimise the impact of COVID-19 on our staff and contractors and ongoing production operations.
  • In 2020, average gross production at Shaikan was 36,625 bopd, exceeding the top end of the guidance range and the highest annual average production rate to date from the field.
  • The previously announced PF-1 plant debottlenecking work has delivered production capacity in excess of 30,000 bopd.
  • As a result, Shaikan Field production has increased and is currently c.44,000 bopd.

Financial

  • Total cash received from the Kurdistan Regional Government (“KRG”) during 2020 for payments of crude oil sales was $129 million ($101 million net).
  • As a result of increased production and the recent improvement in the oil price, the December 2020 crude oil sales invoice submitted to the KRG was $18.0 million ($14.1 million net), up 65% from the previous month.
  • As at 12 January 2021, the Company had a cash balance of $147 million.

Corporate

  • Jon Harris to join as Chief Executive Officer and Board member on 18 January 2021.

Outlook

  • Guidance for 2021 is: 40,000 to 44,000 bopd average gross production, $15 to $20 million net Capex and $2.5 to $2.9/bbl Opex.
  • Guidance will be updated once conditions allow well workovers and/or the restart of the drilling programme to achieve 55,000 bopd.
  • Following receipt of the previously announced proposal to repay the arrears from the outstanding November 2019 to February 2020 invoices, totalling $73.3 million (net), the Company continues to engage with the KRG and will provide an update in due course.
  • The Company remains committed to maintaining its strong financial position and, as conditions continue to improve, will look to return to a balance of growth focussed field development investments and shareholder distributions.

(Sources: GKP, Yahoo!)

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Iraq Doubles Capacity at Salahuddin-2 Refinery

By John Lee.

The Iraqi Ministry of Oil has doubled capacity at its Salahuddin-2 refinery, part of the Baiji complex, from 70,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 140,000 bpd.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar Ismail said he plans to restore capacity at the plant to the 280,000 bpd level at which it was operating before it was damaged by the Islamic State group (IS).

(Source: Iraqi Ministry of Oil)

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ShaMaran achieves 40m Barrels Production at Atrush

ShaMaran Petroleum has announced that the January 2021 interest payment due on its 12% senior unsecured bonds due 2023 (ISIN: NO 001082645.6) has been timely made to all Bondholders.

In addition, ShaMaran said the Atrush field total cumulative crude oil production has exceeded 40 million barrels.

The Atrush field is located 85 km northwest of Erbil and is one of the largest new oil developments in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The field was first discovered in 2011 and oil production started in July 2017. In its fourth year of production, the Atrush field has sold all its production to the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq at international market prices less a discount based on quality and transportation charges.

ShaMaran President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Adel Chaouch said:

“Following a challenging 2020 for the oil industry in Kurdistan, ShaMaran is pleased to start off 2021 with the full and timely payment of the semi-annual interest owed to our Bondholders.

“Our achievement of this 40 million barrel production milestone also demonstrates the ability of Atrush field to maintain stable production even through the past difficult times.  We look forward to future achievements.“

(Source: ShaMaran)

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Jordan “negotiating New Oil Contract with Iraq”

By John Lee.

Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) has reportedly said that Jordan is negotiating with Iraq to resume purchases of crude oil.

Shafaq News Agency quotes the company’s Director, Alaa al-Yasiri, as saying that Iraq exported no crude oil to Jordan in December due to the expiration of the old contract.

More here.

(Source: Shafaq News Agency)

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