Norway based StatoilHydro has made a fifth discovery in the Hassi Mouina region of the Sahara desert in Algeria. The existence of gas was confirmed in exploration well TNKW-1 in the southern part of the region.
“This is an interesting discovery and shows that there is a resource potential in the Hassi Mouina license,” said Alf Henry Meland, head StatoilHydro exploration in Algeria.
The Hassi Mouina license was originally awarded in June 2004 with StatoilHydro holding a 75% stake and Sonatrach posessing the remaining 25%. It includes four blocks within an area of 23,000 square kilometres in the Gourara basin.
In accordance with the license agreement, 30% of the area has now been relinquished to the Algerian government.
