Oman-focused Swedish independent Tethys Oil on 16 April signed a Heads of Agreement with Algerian state firm Sonatrach “expressing the willingness of both parties to achieve partnership for hydrocarbon exploration, development and exploitation in the areas of interest of El Hadjira II and El Haiad II.” The aim is “to conclude hydrocarbon contracts in identified zones of interest under the aegis of hydrocarbon Law n° 19-13,” Tethys and Sonatrach say.
El Hadjira, indicated as block 417 on historical maps from state upstream regulator Alnaft, has no previous oil or gas discoveries but lies around 100km north of the country’s Hassi Messaoud oil hub and immediately west of under-development Touggourt region finds (MEES, 1 April 2022). El Haiad is close to the troubled Eni-operated Touat fields in the country’s far southwest (MEES, 19 April). (CONTINUED - 205 WORDS)