Upstream E&P firm Petroceltic has commenced drilling operations in the Isarene permit in Algeria at 23:00 hours on May 16, the company has announced. Allowing for rig moves and drilling times, the second well of the programme (AT‐1) is expected to begin drilling operations in 4 to 5 weeks time.
The overall programme planned for the Isarene permit, which Petroceltic holds a 75% stake in with NOC Sonatrach holding the remaining 25%, is for the drilling five to seven wells. Petroceltic also plans to test and fracture the objective reservoir sections of the wells drilled without using the drilling rig.
“We are delighted to have started drilling again on Isarene. This is our first drilling operation on the license since we acquired almost 1000 km2 of wide azimuth 3D seismic on the Ain Tsila ridge. We hope to test and appraise the existing gas accumulations on Isarene with this drilling campaign,” said Brian O’Cathian, chief executive of Petroceltic.
