Algerian hydrocarbon exploration, first offshore drilling by end 2015

The first offshore drilling in Algeria is scheduled "by the end of 2015," announced Monday in Oran the interim CEO of the national hydrocarbon group, Said Sahnoune.
"Nous intend to carry out our first offshore drilling during the fourth quarter of 2015," Sahnoune told APS on the sidelines of the International Conference on Gas Industry in Algeria, which wrapped up Monday afternoon.
"We have two platforms, on the western and eastern parts of the country. The works on these platforms have progressed well," said the head of the Algerian oil group.
"The first offshore drilling will be probably carried out on the eastern part in Bejaia-Annaba area," he added.
Sahnoune said that SONATRACH "needs technical assistance to ensure the success of the operation," adding that several measures have been taken to ensure the safety of offshore drilling activities.
"We will drill to a depth of 2,500 metres, only few companies around the world have reached that depth," he added.