Sound Taps into Algeria Gas Play

Sound Energy, the Morocco-focused UK explorer, said March 28 its third well at its Tendrara licence onshore Morocco establishes that a hydrocarbon system proven in Algeria extends into eastern Morocco and confirms the potential of this 'TAGI' play in Morocco.

Its TE-8 well identified and penetrated the system but, according to Sound, was unable to test these gas-bearing sands for technical reasons.

Nonetheless it said the full sequence of thick TAGI reservoir sands (between 2,642 metres through to 2,762 metres depth) extends some 12km to the northeast of Sound's previous two wells at Tendrara, the company said: “Gas shows in the TE-8 well confirm the presence of the four-way dip closed trap mapped on seismic."

Sound CEO James Parsons (Source: Sound)

“I believe therefore that TE-8 will prove to be the Paleozoic play-opener in Morocco,” said Sound CEO James Parsons (pictured, above), adding that a further update would be given when core samples have been analysed.

Sound also reported preliminary results for 2016: a loss of £13.1mn, compared with a 2015 loss of £18.6mn. In Italy, it said its Moirago-1 Badile exploration well was spud in March 2017; the first two casing points have been reached and Sound said it would communicate results during 2017.

Mark Smedley