DNO's Iraqi Kurdistan oil production remains shut over the Iran war

OSLO, May 7 (Reuters) - Norwegian oil ​firm ⁠DNO said on Thursday its ​production in Iraq's semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan remained shut due ​to ‌the security situation in the Middle East, but the ⁠company restarted some drilling in ⁠April.

Following the start ​of the U.S.-Israeli air strikes against Iran on February 28, DNO temporarily halted production and drilling operations in ​Kurdistan ‌as a safety measure.

DNO said it relaunched its previously announced eight-well drilling campaign in preparation for "stepped-up rates when the production from the Tawke and ​Peshkabir fields resumes".

It didn't say when this could ‌happen.

Kurdistan production shutdowns added to the Middle East supply disruptions after Iran ‌decided to close the Strait of Hormuz for shipping in retaliation to U.S.-Israel attacks.

U.S. President Donald Trump ​predicted on Wednesday a swift end to the war with ‌Iran as Tehran considered a U.S. peace proposal.

DNO, the largest Kurdistan producer, said its first-quarter gross operated production ⁠from ⁠the region was down to 52,800 barrels ‌of oil equivalent per day (boepd) from 82,081 boepd a year ​ago.

DNO has ​a 75% stake in the ‌Tawke license, which includes the Tawke and Peshkabir fields, with London-listed Genel Energy holding the rest. (Reporting by Nerijus Adomaitis, editing by Terje Solsvik)

Dno

Genel Energy