Dragon Oil Plc produced 23% more oil in Turkmenistan in first-quarter 2015 than in first-quarter 2014, the company said April 21. The first quarter ended March 31.

Average gross production in the Cheleken contract area was about 88,700 bbl/d the first quarter. This was a 23% increase over the corresponding 2014 level. March production in the contract area averaged 89,600 bbl/d, and April production averaged about 93 Mbbl/d.

Capex for infrastructure, drilling and exploration assets totaled about US$153 million in this year’s first quarter, the company added.

Gross field production during the quarter totaled about 88,700 bbl/d, compared with first-quarter 2014’s 72,300 bbl/d. This is a 23% increase. New development wells with strong flow rates were put into production, Dragon added

Since December 2014, Dragon completed and tested the following wells in the Dzheitune (Lam) field:

The Neptune rig, currently sidetracking the Dzheitune (Lam) C/184 well.

The Elima jackup rig, currently drilling the Dzheitune (Lam) B/202 well.

Land Rig 2 is currently sidetracking the Dzhygalybeg (Zhdanov) A/102 well following an equipment failure in the well.

The Caspian Driller is expected to commence operations in the Cheleken contract area later in the second quarter.

Dragon also detailed other projects. The water injection pilot project in the Dzheitune (Lam) 75 area is progressing. Additional water injection facilities are awaiting approval for installation. The water injection program is for pressure maintenance production rates and reserves recovery.

In 2014, Dragon began jet pumping on the Dzheitune (Lam) 13 platform for two wells. Additional jet pumping systems are currently being installed and are scheduled for commissioning in this year’s second quarter, the company said. The artificial lift will increase production and enhance recovery.

Dragon might use electric submersible pumps in a pilot program later this year.

Design and engineering work for the new wellhead and production platform at Dzheitune (Lam) E is ongoing, as is work for associated pipelines. The eight-slot platform uses jackup rigs. The platform is scheduled to be ready in 2016.

The Dzheitune (Lam) F production platform is being installed, scheduled to begin drilling in 2015’s second quarter, Dragon said.

Dragon will quadruple crude oil storage capacity at its central processing facility. The tank farm is scheduled to be completed in first-quarter 2016.

The project to build another 30-in. trunk line from the Dzheitune (Lam) Field to the central processing facility was deferred. The existing 30-in. trunk line and two 12-in. pipelines can handle up to 100 Mbbl/d for at least five years from 2016.

Dragon is also taking bids for a gas treatment plant project.

Dragon Oil Plc is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.