U.K. independent Emerald Energy has been given the nod to develop the Khurbet East field in the Syrian desert opposite Iraq, where an “early production facility” will be cornerstone to production.

Company managers already see first flows of 10,000 barrels of oil per day from a completed first facility by year-end 2008. Engineering and construction is about to begin.

Thereafter, flow data will help guide the construction of a fuller production facility. Emerald, for its part, will use its “cash flow” to meet the costs of a “final” facility and three production wells.

Some 65.6 million barrels of oil are believed in the Massive Reservoir after an outside estimate in 2007.

Emerald business SNG Overseas,with 50 percent, is joined on Block 26 by Syrian Petroleum Co. on the field.

Tags: Emerald Energy Plc