On Wednesday, the Norwegian oil company DNO organized an event celebrating its production of 500 million barrels of oil from the Tawke license, a milestone that was announced last December.

“I congratulated Executive Chairman Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani for his dedication and leadership in continuing operations despite challenges,” Safeen Dizayee, Head of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations, posted on X.

“Oil production has significantly increased. Last month, we were able to produce five million barrels of oil, and our capacities have greatly expanded,” DNO CEO Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani said, according to a readout of the event by the Erbil Governorate.

Read More: Norwegian Oil Company Restores Kurdish Gross Production

“The facilities where we operate are in accordance with international standards. Producing five million barrels of oil is not just a number; it is a testament to our company’s commitment.

“Despite the challenges created for us in Baghdad and the region, and the drone attacks, we continued until we achieved this accomplishment. 

Also, for this year, we are working on starting production in a number of other oil wells, and oil production will increase by hundreds of thousands of barrels,” he also added.

Mossavar-Rahmani thanked the KRG and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani for their continuous cooperation and support.

DNO was the first Western company to enter Kurdistan in 2004, kick-starting a modern oil industry that has transformed the Kurdistan Region’s economy.