(Ecofin Agency) - The Bir Sebaa and Bir Msana (Hassi Messaoud) deposits started production on Saturday and will supply, in a first phase, a cumulated input of 32,000 barrels per day which will strengthen the oil production of Algeria, reports APS.

The Bir Sebaa deposit, located 150 km North-East of Hassi Messaoud, is a reserve of approximately 758 million barrels of which 25% recoverable. The initial production will be of 20,000 barrels/day and will move to 40,000 barrels/day by 2019. It is operated by the consortium consisting of the company Sonatrach, holding 25% shares against 35% for Thai company PTTEP and 40% for Vietnamese group Petrovietnam.

The Bir Msana deposit, located 300 km East of Hassi Messaoud, has a production of 12,000 barrels/day with proven estimated reserves at 144 million barrels with a recovery rate of 39%. It belongs to the consortium gathering Sonatrach (25%), Malaysian Petronas (35%) and Spanish Cespa (40%).