Uchenna Izundu
International Editor
LONDON, June 25 -- Statoil AS has tested natural gas in Devonian sandstones with its Hassi Tidjerane West (HTJW-1) well in Algeria, the company reported. Statoil is operator of the project.
The well, drilled on the Hassi Mouina license in Algeria's Sahara Desert, is the second exploration well completed and tested there, fulfilling Statoil's license obligations. Statoil did not give the TD of the well or the test production flows.
Statoil, which is working with Sonatrach, finished drilling the first exploration and appraisal well, Hassi Tidjerane 2 (HTJ-2) in March. Statoil holds a 75% interest in Hassi Mouina, and Sonatrach has 25%.
Bill Maloney, senior vice-president for global exploration, said results from both wells were valuable, and that the company would continue with its exploration program to map the resource potential in the block.
"The next location for the [land] rig is Tinerkouk (TNK-1) south in the license, where a third well will be drilled," Statoil said.
The Hassi Mouina license has four blocks within a 23,000-sq km area in the Gourara basin.
The area lies in the Western Sahara, northwest of the In Salah gas field in which Statoil has a 31.85% interest.
Statoil has a 75% interest in Hassi Mouina, and Sonatrach has 25%.
Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected].
