Hess Corp said it was seeking partners to explore two fields in Kurdistan, sending its shares up 3.5 percent to a two-year high.

Hess has a production-sharing agreement for the Dinarta and Shakrok fields in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq. Kurdistan began exporting crude oil last July, despite the Iraq government's claim to sole authority over crude exports.

Hess plans to spend $550 million this year for exploration work, including shoot seismic and drill exploration wells there.

It has also signed onto a production-sharing contract.

Kurdistan began exporting crude oil last July, despite the Iraq government's claim to sole authority over crude exports.

Hess is among the companies who have defied the principal Iraqi government to carry out oil business there.


Soran Ali