DNO, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, reported a 24 percent increase in revenue to USD 170 million in the third quarter of 2024, with operating profit also higher at USD 31 million, up from an operating loss of USD 3 million in the previous quarter.

Third quarter net production averaged 77,200 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), to which Kurdistan contributed 63,200 boepd, North Sea 11,200 boepd and West Africa 2,800 boepd. Kurdistan production was up and sold at higher prices in the local market with payments received in advance to the Company’s international bank accounts. North Sea production was down due to maintenance, primarily at Arran and Norne fields.

During the quarter, the Company completed the second successful appraisal well on the 2023 Heisenberg discovery. Heisenberg is one of eight discoveries DNO has made in the exploration hotspot close to the Troll and Gjøa hubs offshore Norway since 2021. A final investment decision is expected by yearend 2025 for the first of these finds to be developed, with concept selection for other discoveries also expected at about the same time.

In Kurdistan, DNO continued to deliver strong production. At the Tawke license (DNO 75 percent and operator), three wells that were drilled but not completed due to the closure of the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline last year were brought onstream midyear 2024 to meet demand from local traders. These new wells, together with well interventions such as workovers, helped increase gross production by six percent to 84,200 boepd in the third quarter.

On its other operated license in Kurdistan, Baeshiqa (DNO 64 percent and operator), the Company is reviewing results of well testing programs and considering next steps.

DNO exited the third quarter with cash deposits of USD 919 million and net cash of USD 134 million, essentially unchanged from the second quarter. Given the continuing strength of the balance sheet, the Board of Directors has authorized a dividend payment of NOK 0.3125 per share in November, maintaining quarterly distributions at the level of last quarter’s payout.