PTT Exploration and Production Plc. (PTTEP) and its partners SONATRACH and CNOOC Limited have reported successful drilling results in the third exploration phase of the Hassi Bir Rekaiz project onshore Algeria. Under the third exploration phase, the Rhourde Ez Zita-1bis (REZ-1bis) exploration well was drilled at 4,037 meter depth. Drill Stem Test (DST) was conducted with crude oil in the formations of Triassic Argilo Greseux Inférieur (TAGI) at the average crude oil flow of 6,152 barrels per day (BPD) and associated gas flow of 6.5 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD), and in formations of Ordovician (Ouargla Sandstone) with the average flow rates of crude oil at 302 BPD and associated gas of 0.2 MMSCFD. Then this well confirms the huge potential for BOG discovery.

Somporn Vongvuthipornchai, PTTEP President and CEO, said “We are very satisfied with results of REZ-1bis. It marks a significant oil flow rate in the Hassi Bir Rekaiz project added up to the previous exploration campaigns.”

The exploration campaign in Hassi Bir Rekaiz has started since 2014 and found both crude oil and associated gas in 10 exploration wells out of 11 wells totally.

The Hassi Bir Rekaiz field is located onshore in the Eastern part of Algeria. It covers an area of 5,378 square meters. PTTEP is the operator during exploration period with 24.5% interest. Its joint venture partners are SONATRACH, the Algerian National Oil and Gas Company with 51% interest, and CNOOC Ltd., China’s largest producer of offshore crude oil and natural gas with 24.5% interest.

Apart from the Hassi Bir Rekaiz project, PTTEP also has another exploration and production project - the Algeria 433a and 416b project - which has started its oil production in the Bir Seba field in October 2015 with the rate of approximately 20,000 BPD.

About PTTEP

PTTEP is a national petroleum exploration and production company dedicating to provide a sustainable petroleum supply to Thailand and the countries we operate as well to bring in foreign exchange earnings to our country.

About CNOOC

China National Offshore Oil Corporation ("CNOOC"), the largest offshore oil and gas producer in China, is a mega government owned company operating directly under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council of the People's Republic of China.

About Sonatrach

Sonatrach is the largest oil and gas company in Algeria and Africa. The company operates in exploration, production, pipeline transportation and marketing of hydrocarbons and by products.
As part of a diversification strategy, Sonatrach stepped up investments in power generation, new and renewable energies, water desalination, and mining exploration and exploitation. The international strategy of the company includes operations in several parts of the world namely: in Africa (Mali, Niger, Libya, Egypt), in Europe (Spain, Italy, Portugal, Great Britain), in Latin America (Peru) and in the USA.
With a turnover nearing $56,1 billion in 2010, Sonatrach is ranked first company in Africa and 12th in the world. It is also 4th world LNG exporter, 3rd world LPG exporter and 5th World Natural gas exporter.