Algeria

Nov. 17, 2010
Petroceltic International PLC has spud the AT-4 appraisal well east of the 2009 Ain Tsila gas-condensate discovery on the Isarene permit in the southern Illizi basin in east-central Algeria.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Nov. 17
-- Petroceltic International PLC has spud the AT-4 appraisal well east of the 2009 Ain Tsila gas-condensate discovery on the Isarene permit in the southern Illizi basin in east-central Algeria.

Four wells are to be drilled on the permit as part of a 2-year appraisal extension program awarded to Petroceltic following the discovery, which found gas-condensate in Ordovician at 1,915 m (OGJ Online, Sept. 22, 2009). Petroceltic has 75% interest and Algeria’s state Sonatrach has 25%.

The program is to demonstrate commercial production rates from the reservoir and extend the proven gas area beyond that discovered in the initial 5-year period. The first three wells have been approved.

Mapping indicates the potential to greatly enhance proved gas volumes at the AT-4 vertical well drillsite. The companies plan to cut as much as 60 m of core. The test program is designed to facilitate hydraulic fracturing if required during the rigless test regime.