Gulf Keystone Begins Drilling in Iraq

Gulf Keystone’s Bekhme-1 Exploration Well has spudded on the Akri-Bijeel block in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The firm plans to drill the Bekhme-1 well to a depth of 300m and will target prospective intervals in the Jurassic and Triassic zones.

The second exploration well to be drilled on the Akri-Bijeel block, Bekhme, is estimated to contain reserves of 2.4 billion barrels of oil.

The firm has a 20% working interest in the Akri-Bijeel block, which is operated by MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas subsidiary Kalegran.

Gulf Keystone’s COO John Gerstenlauer said the Bekhme-1 well is the first to be drilled on the large surface feature, which dominates the north of the Akri-Bijeel block.

“The discoveries at Bijell-1 and Shaikan have considerably de-risked this new drilling target making Bekhme an attractive prospect,” Gerstenlauer said.