Serinus Energy is looking to increase its output at the Sabria field in Tunisia, where the company is considering further drilling operations, if the current oil prices are sustainable.

The company is looking to reduce its expenses wherever possible and at the same time maintain current production in the country.Serinus sees new drilling in the current mid-40 price mark per barrel as economically viable, as long as they are sustainable. Production in Tunisia remains cash flow positive at prices as low as $30/bbl.

Total production from Tunisia for Q2 increased by 5.5% was at 1,217 boepd, compared to the 1,154 boepd in Q1 2016 and 1,206 boe/d in Q2 2015. Oil reached 900 bpd, and gas was 1.9 Mmcf/d.The increase was as a result of the increased production from several wells after changing pumps on the wells in Q1 and crude oil prices during that period were $40.79 per bbl and $4.41 per million cubic feet.Output for July averaged 1,070 boepd, consisting 864 bpd of oil and 1.2 Mmcf/d of natural gas. Gas sales were regulated due to operational issues at the national gas utility, STEG. The WIN-12bis well in the Sabria Field is also being restricted while scale inhibition measures are being put in place. Upon the completion of these measures, the WIN-12bis will be capable of producing more than 1,000 boepd.

The Winstar-12bis development well, is the first of a 2-well program in the Sabria Field.

Meanwhile the WIN-13 well, which began production in May 2015 at a preliminary rate of around 130 boepd, steadily increased production to close to 300 boepd this month.

Serinus via its subsidiary Winstar Tunisia B.V. also announced that it has signed a 5-year marketing agreement with Shell for the sale of its Tunisian oil production, Oil Voice reports.

Serinus operates the Sabria field with a 45% working interest while the remaining 55% is held by national oil company, ETAP.

Anita Fatunji