In a sign of rising upstream activity in Algeria, Eni and state partner Sonatrach have announced an oil discovery on their Zemlet El Arbi concession in the Berkine Basin, with commercial production expected as soon as the third quarter of 2022.
The ‘HDLE-1’ well, the first of a five-well exploration campaign in the Berkine Basin, tested at 7,000 b/d oil and 5mn cfd gas with Eni pegging reserves at 140mn barrels of oil in place. All of Eni’s current Algeria output is in the Berkine Basin: production will presumably be tied in to Eni and Sonatrach’s Bir Rebaa North (BRN) facility located 15km away (see map, MEES, 25 March). (CONTINUED - 354 WORDS)
