Hess Announces Exploration Agreement in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Hess Corporation HES announced today that, in partnership with Petroceltic International PLC, it has signed production sharing contracts with the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq for its Dinarta and Shakrok exploration blocks. Hess is the operator and has a 64 percent participating interest and 80 percent paying interest in the blocks, which are located northeast of Erbil and cover a combined area of 670 square miles (1,737 square kilometers). Each PSC has an initial three-year exploration period in which the joint venture plans to acquire 2D seismic and drill at least one exploration well. “This expansion into Kurdistan is a good strategic fit for our global portfolio and offers a material opportunity to grow our reserves and production,” said Greg Hill, President of Worldwide Exploration and Production for Hess.