On 11 October 2017, Sonatrach was formally awarded the Hassi Messaoud II exploration and exploitation contract. The award is effective from 27 February 2017 and is valid for an initial three-year term. It has been granted under the current 2005 Hydrocarbons Law. The new "parallel" licence is contiguous to the Hassi Messaoud production concession, which contains the Hassi Messaoud Field. It does not replace the existing production licence over the giant oilfield, but instead confers exploration (and future production) rights, across the ~4,900 sq km area. Two wells have already been spudded under the new licence. In 2016, three NFWs were drilled under the Hassi Messaoud production concession agreement. One well, Rhourde El Henna 1 ST 1 (RDH 1 ST 1) was P&A dry. Two wells, Hassi Hmirat 1 (HHT 1) and Nord Hassi Guettar West 1 (NHGAW 1) made oil & gas discoveries in the Ordovician Hamra Quartzite, in structures to the SW of Hassi Messaoud. Sonatrach will operate Hassi Messaoud II with 100% equity.<P />
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