Oil Search suspends Iraqi appraisal well

Oil Search reported that on 20 August, preparations were underway to temporarily suspend the Taza 2 appraisal well, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

The recent increase in regional tensions has interrupted Oil Search’s ability to deploy skilled technicians, equipment and materials to the Taza 2 well site. As such, in consultation with Kurdistan’s Ministry for Natural Resources, a decision has been made to temporarily suspend the well until the long-term integrity of the company’s supply chain is safely re-established.

The security situation in the Taza area remains stable and Oil Search’s other operations, including rigging up at the Taza 3 appraisal well site and the 3D seismic acquisition programme, continue uninterrupted. The company is monitoring the security situation closely and precautionary measures are in place to enable all operations to be suspended safely and personnel demobilised, if required.

Taza 2 is located 10 km northwest of Taza 1 and is designed to appraise the hydrocarbon-bearing intervals discovered by Taza 1 (Jeribe/Dhiban and Euphrates/Kirkuk Formations), as well as explore deeper Tertiary and Cretaceous targets including the Shiranish Formation.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/27082014/oil-search-suspends-drilling-in-iraq-1332/