By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Nov. 17 -- Norway's Statoil spudded its first exploration well on the Hassi Mouina block in west-central Algeria northwest of the In Salah gas project.
HTJ-2 is projected to 3,200 m to appraise hydrocarbons found earlier in Upper Devonian in Sonatrach's HTJ-1 and to evaluate deeper sandstones of Lower Devonian and Ordovician age, Statoil said.
Hassi Mouina was awarded in June 2004 and covers four blocks totaling 23,000 sq km in the Gourara basin. The work program calls for at least 2 wells. Seismic surveys began in September 2005.
Hassi Mouina interests are Statoil 75% and Sonatrach 25%.