DNO doubles yield expectation of Kurdistan well

Norwegian company DNO International says it expects to double previous estimates of yield from its Benenan-3 well in Iraq.

DNO announced discovery of an extra 210-meter oil column in the Najmeh reservoir, which should increase volume from 300 million barrels to an estimated 600-700m. The well is situated in the Kurdish area of Iraq, known as Kurdistan.

In a company statement, the oil and gas producer said the well had produced 800-1,000 barrels per day of 12-16 API gravity oil from an open hole test in the Lower Najmeh interval, having earlier confirmed movable oil from an open hole test in the Bekhme formation.

"Like Tawke before it, Benenan is starting to grow as we explore and appraise the field," said Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani, DNO International's executive chairman. "We are excited to continue to build reserves, production and value across our licenses in the Kurdistan region of Iraq."

DNO International holds a 40 percent working interest and is the operator of the Erbil license. It said more details of the Benenan predictions will given at its third-quarter results presentation on November 15.