Special to WorldTribune.com

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Kurdistan was expected to increase crude oil production in 2014.

A leading operator said Kurdistan would register an increase of 140,000 barrels of oil at the largest-producing field in the autonomous northern Iraqi region.

The operator, Taq Taq Operating Co., did not cite any obstacles from the offensive by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

“We have a target to ramp up production towards 140,000 bpd and I believe we would achieve this by the end of the month,” Taq Taq general manager Onder Tekeli said.

The Taq Taq field is located 40 kilometers south of Irbil, the main target of ISIL.

Tekeli said his company, unlike other Western contractors, has not withdrawn staffers from Kurdistan.

  Kurdistan, Kurds say ISIL won’t impact plans for increased oil output, Taq Taq oil field