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Gulf Keystone delays work in Iraq
LONDON
(UPI) -- Drilling of an exploration well in the Kurdish region of Iraq is delayed because of mechanical problems, oil explorer Gulf Keystone Petroleum announced.
The London-listed explorer said it encountered more than 1,300 feet of hydrocarbons in the Bijeel-1 exploration well in Iraqi Kurdistan. The company added, however, that it encountered "mechanical problems" when evaluating the zone below the first 100 feet.
"This has necessitated a sidetrack and re-drill of the lower portion of the well to fully evaluate and test the remaining intervals, which is expected to take up to eight weeks to complete," the company said in a statement.
Drilling of an appraisal well, Shaikan-2, is now delayed to the third quarter of 2010 because of the setback at the Bijeel-1 well.
Todd Kozel, the chief executive officer at Gulf Keystone, said despite the setback, his company was "delighted" that preliminary testing at Bijeel-1 produced around 3,200 barrels of oil per day.
LONDON
(UPI) -- Drilling of an exploration well in the Kurdish region of Iraq is delayed because of mechanical problems, oil explorer Gulf Keystone Petroleum announced.
The London-listed explorer said it encountered more than 1,300 feet of hydrocarbons in the Bijeel-1 exploration well in Iraqi Kurdistan. The company added, however, that it encountered "mechanical problems" when evaluating the zone below the first 100 feet.
"This has necessitated a sidetrack and re-drill of the lower portion of the well to fully evaluate and test the remaining intervals, which is expected to take up to eight weeks to complete," the company said in a statement.
Drilling of an appraisal well, Shaikan-2, is now delayed to the third quarter of 2010 because of the setback at the Bijeel-1 well.
Todd Kozel, the chief executive officer at Gulf Keystone, said despite the setback, his company was "delighted" that preliminary testing at Bijeel-1 produced around 3,200 barrels of oil per day.
