Italy’s ENI energy group comes back to Algeria

Italy’s Eni energy group has been granted three new prospection permits by Sonatrach in Algeria. The initiative strengthens the already excellent relations between Eni and Sonatrach and Eni’s strong presence in the country.

Eni has been granted three prospection permits by Sonatrach, the Algerian state company. The permits authorize Eni, as operator, and Sonatrach to carry out prospection activities in the basins of Timimoun and Oued Mya, in onshore southern Algeria.

The three permits (El Guefoul, Tinerkouk and Terfas), issued from the national agency for the exploitation of hydrocarbon resources (Agence Nationale pour la Valorisation des Ressources en Hydrocarbures, ALNAFT), are valid for two years and cover a total area of 46,837 square kilometers.

The work program includes studies and drilling of prospection wells to define the potential of the areas. The three areas are considered of great interest and potential.

The initiative strengthens the already excellent relations between Eni and Sonatrach and Eni’s strong presence in the country.

Eni has been present in Algeria since 1981 and has interests in 29 exploration and development licenses, which are currently in production, and in 3 permits under development.

Eni is the leading international producer in the country, with daily equity production of approximately 125,000 barrels of oil equivalent.

The Algerian hydrocarbons’ company Sonatrach granted Italian energy company Eni three authorizations to explore the onshore southern Algerian areas of Timimoun and Oued Mya, the Italian group said in a note, adding that the three authorizations concerning areas called El Guefoul, Tinekouk abd Terfas will last two years and concern a surface of 46,837 square kilometres.

Work will focus on research and perforation for prospection to define the potential of the areas which are believed to be of great interest.

The initiative further boost the excellent relations between Eni and Sonatrach and consolidates Eni’s strong presence in the country.