Petroceltic International in its operational update on Monday revealed that development drilling has commenced on the Ain Tsila gas and condensate field in Algeria.

The just constructed SINOPEC Rig 50117 which was received on the Isarene permit in November 2015, was assembled on site and has successfully passed acceptance testing. The rig has now drilled the development well AT-10.

The AT-10 well is situated in the north of the field about 3.4 km from the discovery well AT-1 and 2.0 km from the appraisal well AT-8. Every single wells supplied gas flow rates of more than 30 Mmscfpd on test. AT-10 is the first of about 24 new development wells on Ain Tsila expected to create and maintain the currently sanctioned yearly average wet gas plateau rate of 355 Mmscfpd.

The company also announced that the tender of the major field Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract which covers main field facilities and pipelines is moving forward.

Petroceltic holds a 38.25% interest alongside Sonatrach and Enel with 43.375% and 18.375% interest respectively in the Isarene PSC. Following the sale of an 18.375% interest to Sonatrach in July 2014, Petroceltic in respect of the Ain Tsila field still benefits from a carry of its development expenses, Energy-pedia reports.

Anita Fatunji