RWE Dea Starts Drilling for Gas in Algeria

RWE Dea on Thursday said Reggane Nord consortium has commenced development drilling at the gas project in the Algerian Sahara.

For the first drilling campaign 26 development wells are planned with first gas expected in 2017. The first development well KL-39 was spudded end of January.

“We are delighted to reach this next stage in the project, after detailed preparation work with all partners over recent months,” said Christoph Schlichter, Senior Vice President Production North Africa of RWE Dea AG. “We are looking forward to a successful drilling campaign. The expected reserves of the project will make a significant contribution to the growth of Dea’s gas production in the years to come. That’s why we are pleased that the project is in time for start of production in summer 2017.”

Among the 26 development wells 21 wells are expected to be drilled, completed and put on production until the first gas date. Another five wells are planned to be drilled and added to production afterwards. The production phase of the project is expected to span more than 25 years. 

The Reggane Nord project comprises the gas fields of Reggane, Azrafil Sud-Est, Kahlouche, Kahlouche Sud, Tiouliline and Sali. The Groupement Reggane-Nord (GRN) partners are RWE Dea AG with its 19.5%-share, Sonatrach (40%), Repsol (29.25%), and Edison (11.25%).

In 2002, Dea started exploration in the concession area Reggane Nord together with partners Repsol (operator) and Edison with corresponding gas discoveries, which are now subject to development under the operation of GRN.