National Company for Exploration, Production, Transport and Commercialization of Hydrocarbons SONATRACH and its partners PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (Thailand) or PTTEP and CNOOC Limited (China) announced the successful completion of a drilling campaign, in the Hassi Bir Rekaiz Permits in Algeria which has been conducted since 2011. The Bou Goufa-2 (BOG-2) in Bou Goufa - Rhourd Ez Zita discovery area which is the last appraisal well of this campaign found crude oil and associated gas flow at a very satisfactory rate after it was drilled to a total depth of 4,064 meters at the end of April 2016. A Drill Stem Test (DST) was conducted and showed flow rates in the Triassic Argilo Greseux Inférieur (TAGI) formations of crude oil flow at an average of approximately 2,406 barrels per day (BPD) and associated gas flow at approximately 2.9 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD). These results confirmed the commercial potential of petroleum in this area.

Somporn Vongvuthipornchai, President and CEO of PTTEP said “PTTEP has achieved great success and is very satisfied with the significant results of the drilling campaign in Hassi Bir Rekaiz. PTTEP and our partners will prepare and submit the field’s development plan to the Algerian Authorities in early 2017 for approval.”

Hassi Bir Rekaiz is located onshore in the Eastern part of Algeria. It covers an area of 2,686 square kilometers. PTTEP is the operator during the exploration period with 24.5% interest. Its joint venture partners are SONATRACH, the Algerian National Oil and Gas Company with 51% interest, and CNOOC Limited, with 24.5% interest.

Apart from the Hassi Bir Rekaiz project, PTTEP also has another project in Algeria - the Algeria 433a and 416b project, carried-out by its subsidiary, PTTEP Algeria Company Limited - which commenced oil production from the Bir Seba field in October 2015.

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.