By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, July 28 -- Statoil AS announced that it has 75% interest and operatorship of the Hassi Mouina gas block in Algeria, and Algeria's state oil and gas company Sonatrach has 25% interest.
Hassi Mouina lies near the In Salah gas fields in central Algeria where Statoil has a 31.85% interest. In Salah went on stream this summer (OGJ Online, July 7, 2004). The block covers an area of 22,993 sq km of the Timimoun Basin. Sonatrach has drilled one well in the block and discovered gas, which Statoil will develop.
The work program in the 3-year mandatory exploration phase covers two wells and 400 km of 2D-seismic information. In addition, Statoil will agree with Sonatrach on an appraisal program for the discovery. An optional 2-year exploration phase covers one well and 100 km of 2D-seismic information.