Algeria’s Sonatrach restarts oil exploration in Libya’s Ghadames Basin after ten years. Photo via Reuters

The Algerian oil company Sonatrach – Libya Branch has resumed its exploration activities in Block 96/2 of the Ghadames Basin in mid-October, following a suspension that lasted more than ten years.

Drilling programme and final depth

The National Oil Corporation (NOC) confirmed that Sonatrach will proceed with completing drilling operations at the exploration well A1-96/2, which was originally spudded in April 2014, reaching a depth of 8,090 feet before being suspended in May 2014 due to security conditions.

The targeted final depth is approximately 8,440 feet.

Location and proximity to key fields

According to the NOC, the well is located within the contract area 95/96 in the Ghadames Basin, near the Libyan–Algerian border.

It lies about 100 kilometres from the Wafa field (operated by Mellitah Oil & Gas) and roughly 800 kilometres southwest of Tripoli.

Contractual background

Sonatrach signed the Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA IV) with the National Oil Corporation in 2008, acting as the operator under that framework.