Irish junior Petroceltic International saidon Monday that the partners, including the KRG, had hit a 27-metre gascondensate column in the Triassic formation at the Shakrok-1 well, but wouldnot be testing that formation.

This led to some speculation that operatorHess, on a 64% stake, was pulling out of the well. Petroceltic’s share priceplunged on the news, and sat down almost 10% as of 2pm in London.

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