UK independent Gulf Keystone (GK) has had to suspend 12,400 b/d production from the KRG’s Shaikan field at the request of “the competent authority” (apparently the KRG oil ministry). But GK still targets 20,000 b/d by the end of the year, the AIMS-listed company said on September 19. “The company, following dialogue with the competent authority, believes that production is to resume shortly,” GK, which has 75% of the Shaikan Block, adds.
The suspension comes as the KRG is on the final leg of completing its first ever independent export pipeline to the Fishkabur pumping station on the Turkish border. This could tie into the federally-controlled export system to Turkey’s Ceyhan; barring agreement with Baghdad the new 300,000 b/d line could also allow independent Kurdish crude exports. (CONTINUED - 383 WORDS)
