In another sign of gathering momentum in the KRG, US major Chevron has resumed drilling activity at its Sarta block. Chevron earlier relinquished the neighboring Rovi block in 2015 in order to focus on Sarta, where it says its initial results were very encouraging (MEES, 4 December 2015). It has an 80% operating stake in Sarta and also at Qara Dagh next to the Repsol-operated Kurdamir block (see map, MEES, 22 September).

Chevron last drilled at Sarta in 2015 and confirms that its field development plan has been approved. Allied with DNO announcing drilling plans at Baeshiqa after acquiring some of ExxonMobil’s stake this month (MEES, 8 September) this highlights increasing investor confidence. Furthermore, Taqa's Atrush field started up in July and is now at 23,000 b/d. (CONTINUED - 224 WORDS)