Algeria: Ain Tsila gas-condensate field still growing

Petroceltic International PLC said its AT-8 appraisal well in Ain Tsila gas-condensate field in eastern Algeria flowed a combined 15.4 MMscfd of gas from three Ordovician zones without stimulation, the highest prefrac flow rate to date in the field.

The AT-8 well was designed to appraise a pop-up feature with a mapped fault system and to test the extent of the hydrocarbon column on the field’s north side. TD is 1,662 m. The wellsite is 5 km northeast of the AT-1 discovery well and 4.5 km northwest of the AT-5 well in an undrilled section of the field.

The well penetrated a 121-m gross Ordovician interval with 33 m of net sand and 24 m of interpreted net pay. It is being prepared for fracture stimulation in the upper zone.

The company spudded the AT-9 horizontal appraisal well on Sept. 12 near the center of the field and 7.8 km southeast of AT-1.

Petroceltic operates the Isarene permit covering blocks 228 and 229a with a 56.625% interest. Sonatrach has a 25% interest, and Enel has 18.375% pending government ratification.