Dubai: E.ON Ruhrgas, one of Europe's largest suppliers of natural gas, and Sona-trach have encountered first gas in the exploration of Algeria's Rhourde Yacoub block.
"In cooperation with Sonatrach, the Algerian National Oil and Gas Company, E.ON Ruhrgas E&P, the operator of the Rhourde Yacoub exploration block, has successfully completed the drilling and testing of the Zemlet Cherguia-1extension (ZCH-1ext) exploration well," the company said in a statement.
The gas field is located in the eastern Algerian Sahara, around 250 kilometres south-east of the town of Hassi Messaoud.
"This result is another important step for our upstream business," said John Roper, E.ON Ruhrgas head for the Middle East.
"The success of Rhourde Yacoub highlights E.ON's commitment to investing in the Algerian exploration and production industry," stressed Roper. E.ON Ruhrgas, the Essen-based gas arm of Germany's largest utility E.ON, has established a presence across the Middle East in recent years which includes Abu Dhabi and Doha, two of the region's largest suppliers of liquefied natural gas.
Power generation
E.ON is one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies which has more than 88,000 employees and generated just under 82 billion euros (Dh394 billion) in sales in 2009. The integrated business model in power and gas extends from power generation and gas production to distribution and sales.
The Rhourde Yacoub block is operated by E.ON Ruhrgas E&P with an equity share of 49 per cent. Sonatrach as the other joint venture partner holds the majority of 51 per cent. The well is the second exploration well drilled by E.ON Ruhrgas E&P in Rhourde Yacoub.
