Petroceltic Starts Drilling on Ain Tsila Gas Field in Algeria

Petroceltic International has announced the start of development drilling on the Ain Tsila gas and condensate field in Algeria.

On 21 February 2016 development well AT-10, the first well of the Ain Tsila development drilling campaign, was spudded, the company said in a press note Monday.                                      

AT-10 is located in the north of the field approx. 3.4 km from the field discovery well AT-1, and 2 km from the appraisal well AT-8; each of these wells delivered gas flow rates in excess of 30 MMscfpd on test. This vertical well is targeting the Ordovician reservoir formation to a planned total depth of 1,989m MD. AT-10 is the first of up to 24 new development wells on Ain Tsila expected to be required to establish and maintain the currently approved annual average wet gas plateau rate of 355 MMscfpd.

In addition to the commencement of development drilling, the tender of the major field Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract covering main field facilities and pipelines is progressing.

Petroceltic holds a 38.25 percent interest, Sonatrach a 43.375 percent interest, and Enel an 18.375 percent interest in the Isarene PSC.