Eni to appraise oil, associated gas discovery onshore Algeria

Italy’s Eni SPA and Algeria’s Sonatrach will appraise an oil and associated gas discovery in the Zemlet el Arbi concession in the Berkine North basin in the Algerian desert (OGJ Online, Oct. 29, 2018). Preliminary estimates put the size of the discovery at 140 million bbl of oil in place.

The HDLE-1 discovered exploratory well was drilled on the HDLE exploration prospect about 15 km from processing infrastructure of Bir Rebaa North field. Light oil in the Triassic sandstones of Tagi formation was found, confirming 26 m of net pay with excellent petrophysical characteristics, Eni said in a Mar. 20 release.

During the production test, the well delivered 7,000 b/d of oil and 5 MMscfd of associated gas. HDLE-1 is the first well of the new exploration campaign which will include drilling 5 wells in the Berkine North basin.

A second well, HDLE-2, will be drilled in April to confirm additional potential of the structure extending in the adjacent Sif Fatima 2 concession operated by an Eni-Sonatrach JV (50-50%).

With the appraisal program, Eni and Sonatrach will perform studies and analyses to accelerate the production phase of the new discovery through a fast-tracked development with startup expected in this year’s third quarter.

The concession is operated by a joint venture between Eni (49%), and Sonatrach (51%).