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Early success for Ukrainian fracking

LONDON, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- An energy company operating in Ukraine said it completed the first of nine stages of hydraulic fracturing operations in search of natural gas.

JKX Oil and Gas started a multistage hydraulic fracturing operation at its Rudenkovskoye license area in eastern Ukraine in early July. The company said a nine-stage hydraulic fracturing campaign in Ukraine was "probably the largest" campaign of its kind in Europe.

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The company said Wednesday its first stage reached a maximum pump rate of 34,000 barrels of liquids per day. The second stage gave up 35,000 barrels and the third of the nine phases started won't be assessed fully until the end of August.

"Operationally this complex program has made very good progress and we now have three fracs completed successfully," JKX Chief Executive Officer Paul Davies said in a statement.

The company, which has headquarters in London, said second quarter production of 11,100 barrels of oil equivalent per day during was split between Ukraine and Russia, with the latter accounting for the bulk of the gains. JXK said a "small contribution" came from operations in Hungary.

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