Eni SPA and state-owned Sonatrach have started production of rich natural gas from Menzel Ledjmet East (MLE) field on Algerian Block 405b, about 1,000 km from Algiers.
A plant at the field yields 9 million cu m/day of sales gas, 15,000 b/d of oil and condensate, and 12,000 b/d of LPG.
Eni and Sonatrach jointly operate MLE field.
The Italian company acquired its interest in the Berkine basin field through its 2008 acquisition of First Calgary Petroleum, which held a 75% stake (OGJ Online, Sept. 9, 2008).