Statoil and Shell win Algeria shale exploration licenses

Statoil and Shell have been awarded the Timissit Permit Licence in the Illizi-Ghadames Basin onshore Algeria.

The licence is located in southeastern Algeria and covers an area of 2730 square kilometres. Statoil bid in partnership with Shell, where Statoil will be the operator with 30% equity, Shell will hold 19% equity and the remaining 51% will be held by Sonatrach.

The award represents an opportunity to test a potentially large shale resource play, Statoil said in a statement.

The large shale potential in Algeria may become an increasingly important component of the country’s gas exports to Europe in the future.

“Statoil is entering this shale play to test the prospectivity and commerciality through a step-wise approach. The first exploration phase is expected to last up to 2017 and include the drilling of two wells and seismic acquisition,” says Nick Maden, senior vice president for Statoil’s exploration activities in the Western Hemisphere.

The award is part of the Algerian Ministry of Energy and Mines, National Agency for Hydrocarbon Resources Valorisation’s (ALNAFT) Fourth International Bid Round, which was launched in January 2014.

Press Release, September 30, 2014; Image: Statoil