Gazprom begins drilling first prospecting well in Africa

In compliance with its obligations under the contract with the Algerian National Agency for the Valorization of Hydrocarbon Resources (ALNAFT), the Gazprom Group has commenced drilling of the first prospecting well (Rhourde Sayah-2) in Africa within the El Assel license area of Algeria’s Berkine basin.

The well drilling is provided for in the minimum scope of geological exploration activities according to the terms and conditions of the tender won by Gazprom EP International B.V. for hydrocarbons exploration and drilling of four wells in the onshore El Assel area.

In the meanwhile, Gazprom EP International carries our large-scale 3D seismic surveying in other parts of the license area. According to preliminary estimates, drilling of the first well is to be completed in June 2010 and another three wells are to be drilled within 2 years.

The project operator is Gazprom EP International. The first well will be drilled at an estimated depth of 4,400 meters. The target horizons are the Triassic and Cambrian-Ordovician sandstones.