Seismic reflections: Confidence in Kurdistan grows

Iraq, including the autonomous Kurdistan region, probably has the world’s largest concentration of untapped, easily recoverable oil reserves. Pioneering moves were made into Kurdistan in the 2000s by the likes of Gulf Keystone and Hunt Oil, with considerable drill-bit success. In late July, two important Kurdistan exploration and development deals were announced. These involve Afren acquiring interests in two PSCs with sizeable contingent reserves and a Hess-Petroceltic partnership signing two PSCs for exploration purposes. With increasing production and improving relations between the regional and Iraqi federal governments, these deals reflect growing confidence in Kurdistan’s potential as a major new petroleum province.

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