Abu Dhabi state firm Taqa, operator of the KRG’s Atrush block, expects further delays with no production this year.

“Taqa has now completed drilling five wells at the Atrush development in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq as construction continues on the initial production systems which are designed to produce up to 30,000 gross barrels per day of oil,” a spokesman says. “As a result of delays in materials and equipment availability and other procurement-related issues, we are currently evaluating the potential for a delay in the project schedule and consequently the impact on the timing of first oil, previously targeted by the end of 2015. We are working with our partners and suppliers to expedite the completion of construction works and deliver first oil as quickly as possible.” (CONTINUED - 448 WORDS)