The Canada-based Antrim Energy Inc. reported that in Tunisia, a rig is being contracted to drill Chott Fejaj #3, in which Antrim holds a 34.28 percent working interest. Antrim, through the operator of the Fejaj Joint Venture, Bligh Tunisia Inc., has joined a consortium of companies that will import a rig into Tunisia.
The rig is expected in Tunisia during May to commence operations on the first well in the drilling group's schedule. Antrim now expects the deepening operations on the Chott Fejaj #3 well to commence in the second half 2002.
The Chott Fejaj #3 well was initially cased and suspended at a depth of 3,532 meters in December 1998 after encountering the sealing salt section above the primary Triassic and older Paleozoic sandstone objectives. The well will be deepened initially to 4,250 meters to test a large structural prospect in the Melrhir basin, the Tunisian portion of the prolific Triassic "Ghadames" petroleum province of Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.
“In North Africa we are happy to report the long-delayed drilling operation in Tunisia will commence now that a drilling rig has been sourced outside the country. High activity levels in Tunisia had previously prevented Antrim and partners from securing a rig to test the deeper horizons at this location," CEO Stephen Greer commented. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
