Libya's NOC reports two oil and gas discoveries

April 17, 2009
Libya's NOC reported two oil and gas discoveries—one with partner Sonatrach in the Ghadames basin and the other with partners Repsol YPF SA and OMV AG in the Sirte basin.

Eric Watkins
OGJ Oil Diplomacy Editor

LOS ANGELES, Apr. 17 -- Libya's National Oil Co. has reported two oil and natural gas discoveries—one with partner Sonatrach in the Ghadames basin and the other with partners Repsol YPF SA and OMV AG in the Sirte basin.

NOC said Algeria's state-owned Sonatrach made the first discovery on Block 65 in the Ghadames basin with the wildcat A1-65/02 well.

The well, drilled to 9,033 ft TD about 230 km south of Tripoli, encountered both oil and gas in the Mamouniyat formation at intervals of 8,532 and 8,560 ft.

Testing of the wildcat showed oil of 48.8° gravity flowing at 1,344 b/d and gas flowing at 1.88 MMcfd through a 28/64-in. choke, NOC said.

NOC holds a 75% stake in the Block 65 license, while Sonatrach holds the remaining 25% stake, which it acquired in 2005.

NOC's second reported discovery, in the Sirte basin, was with the A1-NC202 wildcat, drilled to 15,815 ft TD in 50 m of water.

NOC said the A1-NC202 discovery found both oil and gas in the Demah formation at intervals of 4,442 and 4,484 ft.

Testing of the well showed 26° gravity oil flowing at 1,264 b/d and gas flowing at 0.58 MMcfd through a 32/64-in. choke.

Repsol YPF operates the NC202 Block, which was awarded in 2003. Repsol YPF holds 21% interest, while NOC has a 65% stake, and OMV holds the remaining 14%.

Contact Eric Watkins at [email protected].