OMV and its partner ETAP, the Tunisian national oil company, have recently completed drilling activities at the Khouloud-1 and Benefsej-1 exploration wells in the Nawara Production Concession in southern Tunisia. This marks the successful completion of the 2009/2010 five well drilling campaign which aimed at proving the required resources for the Nawara Development Project.

Khouloud-1 reached a total depth of 4,042 m, and Benefsej-1, the best well to date in the concession, was drilled down to 4,223 m. Both wells have discovered a combined total of over 60 m of net gas-condensate pay in the stacked sandstones of the Acacus and Tannezuft formations. Good quality sandstone reservoirs are now proven across the entire Nawara concession and this is encouraging for undrilled features. Gas condensate was confirmed by an extensive and successful downhole measurement and sampling program. The wells have been cased and suspended for future testing and production.

Jaap Huijskes, member of the OMV Executive Board responsible for E&P stated: 'We have completed a very successful exploration drilling campaign with nine discoveries in a row. We are confidently working towards commercial development of these discoveries together with our partner ETAP.'

OMV and the Tunisian national oil company ETAP each hold a 50% interest in the Nawara Production Concession, 700 km south of the Tunisian capital Tunis. Studies are under way with respect to a possible development of the discoveries and the transportation of the gas to the Tunisian market.

Tags: OMV Aktiengesellschaft