23 November 2011
E.ON Ruhrgas E&P Algerien GmbH, operator of Block 406a (Rhourde Yacoub), in cooperation with Sonatrach, the Algerian National Oil & Gas Company is pleased to announce an oil and gas discovery on the Yacoub North prospect.
The discovery is located in Block 406a (Rhourde Yacoub) in the Eastern Algerian Sahara, around 250 kilometres south-east of the town Hassi Messaoud.
The Rhourde Yacoub block is operated by E.ON Ruhrgas E&P with an equity share of 49 %. Sonatrach as the other Joint Venture partner holds the majority of 51 %. The well is the fifth exploration well drilled by E.ON Ruhrgas E&P in Rhourde Yacoub.
The well is the third discovery made in Rhourde Yacoub by E.ON Ruhrgas E&P after the successful testing of the wells Zemlet Cherguia-1extension (ZCH-1ext) in 2010 and Yacoub Central-1 (YAC-1) in early 2011.
The YAN-1 well targeted the Triassic Formations and encountered gas/condensate in the Trias Carbonaté Formation as well as black oil from the Triassic TAGS Formation. The Trias Carbonaté Formation flowed at well test rates of 4,531 m3/h with associated condensate rates of 8.9m3/h with a flowing well head pressure of 108 bar on a 32/64 choke.
The TAGS Formation flowed at well test rates of 6.7 m3/h with associated gas rates of 895.7 m3/h with a flowing well head pressure of 31.5 bar on a 32/64 choke.
Hubert Mainitz, Country Manager Algeria of E.ON Ruhrgas E&P commented “The Yacoub North well results are very encouraging and highlights E.ON’s commitment to investing in the Algerian E&P industry”.
Rhourde Yacoub is located in the gas- and oil-prone Berkine Basin, where the exploration started in the 1990ies. In the second half of 2008 E.ON Ruhrgas E&P took part in the first Algerian licensing round after a new hydrocarbon law was introduced in 2005. In December 2008 E.ON Ruhrgas E&P won the bid for the Rhourde Yacoub licence which covers 761 square kilometres after relinquishment of 30% of the initial license in June 2010.