The Atrush-2 Exploration and Appraisal well produced a combined rate of up to 42,212 b/d of oil from three drillstem tests, General Exploration Partners reported.

The result was achieved with the use of an electrical submersible pump. The well was drilled 3.1 km (2 miles) east and and down dip of the Atrush-1 discovery well (AT-1) in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The well reached the planned total depth of 1,750 m (5,741 ft) in 49 days.

The test rates were limited by surface testing equipment. None of the tests had measurable amounts of formation water.

Separate DSTs also were conducted in the Butmah and Adaiyah formations. The highly fractured upper part of the Butmah tested up to a maximum of 1,450 bbl of fluid per day under nitrogen lift and toward the end of the short test was producing 9° API dry oil. A reservoir zone within the Adaiyah anhydrite tested up to 500 b/d of oil of 11° API dry oil under nitrogen lift. Pursuant to the production-sharing contract, GEP has presented a notice of discovery to the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Kurdistan regional government.

Meanwhile in the eastern part of the Atrush block, the second phase of the 3D seismic acquisition was completed, providing GEP with 3D coverage of the entire block. Tendering is underway for the lease of an extended well test facility (EWTF) with an award expected shortly. Plans are for a recompleted AT-1 to be connected to the EWTF in early 2013.

The Atrush block is operated by the joint-venture company General Exploration Partners Inc., which holds an 80% working interest in the block. Aspect Holdings LLC, through its Aspect Energy International LLC subsidiary, has a 66.5% interest; and ShaMaran Petroleum Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiary, ShaMaran Ventures BV, holds a 33.5% interest in GEP. Marathon Oil KDV B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon Oil Corp,, holds a 20% interest in the block.