Algerian state firm Sonatrach, which without fail drills dozens of exploration wells a year, often with little regard to potential commercialization, is pressing on despite the instability that continues to wrack both the country and its own management (MEES, 26 April).
The firm on 22 May announced its eighth “discovery” this year. “For the first time in the history of exploration Sonatrach has notched up a drilling success in the Tindouf basin. An exceptional result which opens up new opportunities,” Sonatrach says, describing the ERTA-1 discovery as gas-condensate from a conventional reservoir but without disclosing further details. (CONTINUED - 123 WORDS)