DNO provides Middle East drilling update

Norway based DNO ASA provides an update of the drilling results from Kurdistan/Northern-Iraq and the Republic of Yemen. Drilling and testing of Tawke # 5A and Tawke # 8 has now been completed in Kurdistan/Northern Iraq. The main objective for the two wells was to appraise the oil discovery confirmed by Tawke # 3 in the deeper reservoir horizons at a more central location of the field.

A comprehensive testing program was carried out in the two wells. Tawke # 5A achieved a gross rate of 9,000 bopd aggregated from three test intervals, with a maximum rate of 6,200 bopd from the most productive interval. Tawke # 8 achieved a gross flowrate of 20,500 bopd aggregated from five tests with a maximum rate of 8,300 bopd from the most productive interval.

The tests results from Tawke # 5A and Tawke # 8 together with the results previously reported for Tawke # 3 (9,000 bopd aggregated from two tests) confirm good reservoir properties and productivity in the deeper reservoir horizons.

Meanwhile, drilling of Bayoot SW # 3 (Block 53) in Yemen has now been completed and a test has been carried out in the basement interval. The well flowed at a maximum rate of 1,880 bopd. This is the fourth well drilled in the Bayoot / Hekma area confirming oil in either the basement or the overlaying carbonates

Two exploration wells are also currently being drilled in Yemen: Nuzooh # 1 (Block 32) and Thoub # 1 (Block 43). The results from these wells are expected within the next 2-3 weeks.