In Q2-Q3 2018, Sonatrach was awarded the ~19,000 sq km Negrine II prospecting permit, located in the Melrhir Trough of NE Algeria. It is understood to have been awarded on an initial two-year term. The block comprises of acreage formerly held by Sonatrach under the Biskra and Negrine exploration licences, relinquished in late-2016 and 2017 respectively. Three wells were drilled on the Negrine block, with one non-commercial Cretaceous gas discovery, Oglat Troudi 1 (OGT 1) being made in October 2015. The acreage also encloses the Guerguit El Kihal Nord and Guerguit El Kihal Sud fields, formerly operated by Gulf Keystone. Sonatrach operates the permit with 100% equity.<P />
Sonatrach was awarded the ~19,000 sq km Negrine II prospecting permit, located in the Melrhir Trough of NE Algeria.