Norway’s DNO, the leading independent producer in Iraqi Kurdistan, says it increased spending at its Tawke license (DNO 75%op, Genel 25%) in Q2 to optimize production from existing wells. Tawke output is now running at 83,500 b/d for Q3, up from the Q2 average of 79,783 b/d. DNO says it has begun placing previously drilled wells into production and is preparing to mobilize a rig to drill the first well in the license since early 2023.
The increase comes despite the continued closure of the export pipeline to Turkey’s Ceyhan terminal. Trilateral talks in Baghdad in June between the KRG, the federal government and Kurdistan-based IOCs fizzled out and there has been no subsequent progress. DNO MD Chris Spencer told the firm’s 15 August earnings call that the “deadlock” remains and suggested that the relevant government counterparties lack motivation to break the impasse. “Where there’s a will there’s a way. But so far this hasn’t happened.” (CONTINUED - 244 WORDS)