Algeria Foreign Operators Coming Onstream: Repsol - Tifernine/Tin Mesnaguene.

Repsol Exploracion began producing oil at the Tifernine/Tin Mesnaguene field in late 1997 and now its output averages 20,000 b/d. It will reach 30,000 b/d before end-1999. The field, believed to have 300m barrels of oil in place, lies in block 226A of Erg Issaouane (about 4,500 sq km) in the Illizi Basin 600 km south of Hassi Messaoud, where Repsol has made several discoveries since 1992 at depths of about 1,500 metres. Under an agreement signed in December 1990, the Spanish major was committed to a six-year exploration work, and was to spend $35m. In 1991/92, it sold part of its holding to Samsung (20%) and Kyung-In (10%) of South Korea and Oranje-Nassau of Holland (15%). In January 1996, Total and Repsol signed a PSA to develop wet gas at the TFT group of fields (see OMT). On May 12, 1994, Repsol signed an E&P agreement covering a 6,423 sq km block, No. 425, at Zirara south-east of Hassi R'Mel and west of Hassi Messaoud. It was to carry out a seven-year exploration programme, including geological and geophysical studies and the drilling of five wells, and to spend $27m. In November 1986, Repsol got a block in the Rhames area, 250 km south-east of Hassi Messaoud. In 1989 it acquired a 25% interest in Total's El Harcha East and El Agreb West (see below).