The Norwegian company has said that the rig has moved to the next location, the fourth exploration well TMS 1. Several appraisal wells will also be drilled on the earlier discoveries in order to quantify the volumes with greater certainty.
The Hassi Mouina license was awarded in June 2004. It comprises four blocks within a 23,000 square kilometer area in the Gourara basin. The area is located in the western Sahara in Algeria, northwest of the In Salah gas field.
StatoilHydro has a 75% interest in Hassi Mouina, while its partner Sonatrach holds the remaining 25% interest.
Bill Maloney, senior vice president for global exploration at StatoilHydro, said: We are satisfied with the drilling operation and the result from the well. This is the third positive well drilled in the Hassi Mouina license, and the wells give us valuable information on the resource potential in the block.
