OMV reports a new gas-condensate discovery following the successful drilling of the Ritma-1 exploration well in the Nawara Production Concession in southern Tunisia. This is the seventh successive well to encounter hydrocarbons in this area in the last four years, and underpins the significant potential of this block and of OMV's surrounding exploration permit Jenein Sud.

OMV and its partner ETAP, the Tunisian national oil company, have recently completed operations at the Ritma-1 well in the Nawara Production Concession in southern Tunisia. This is the third well in the 2009/2010 drilling campaign designed to identify additional gas-condensate resources for the planned Nawara Development Project.

Ritma-1 reached a total depth of 4,035 m and encountered 28 m of net hydrocarbon pay in stacked sandstones of the Acacus and Tannezuft Formations. Gas-condensate was proven by an extensive downhole evaluation and sampling program. The reservoir thickness is at the high end of expectations, similar to the recent Fella-1 discovery. Ritma-1 has been cased and suspended for future production.

Helmut Langanger, OMV Executive Board Member responsible for Exploration and Production stated: 'We are very pleased with this promising series of 7 consecutive discoveries in southern Tunisia which is quite an outstanding achievement in the E&P business and allows us to stay on track for our planned field development in the Nawara Concession.'

Drilling of the next exploration well, Khouloud-1, in the area started on 25 May. OMV and ETAP each hold a 50% interest in the Nawara Production Concession, 700 km south of the Tunisian capital Tunis.

Tags: OMV Aktiengesellschaft