The existence of gas was confirmed in exploration well TNKW-1 in the southern part of the licence.
”This is an interesting discovery and shows that there is a resource potential in the Hassi Mouina licence”, says Alf Henry Meland, the head of exploration in Algeria.
The Hassi Mouina licence was awarded in June 2004. It includes four blocks within an area of 23 000 square kilometres in the Gourara basin. 30% has now been relinquished to the Algerian government in accordance with the licence agreement.
The area is located in the western part of the Sahara in Algeria, northwest of the In Salah gas field, where StatoilHydro has a 31,85 percent interest.
StatoilHydro has a 75 percent interest in Hassi Mouina, whereas the partner Sonatrach has an interest of 25 percent.