Petroceltic extends drilling programmes

Dublin-based oil and gas explorer Petroceltic International said today it plans significant wells in Algeria, Italy and Tunisia this year

"Last year's highly successful exploration programme will be followed in 2010 by another exciting year of drilling activity," said Petroceltic chief executive Brian O'Cathain.

"Significant wells are planned in each of the three countries where we operate. We expect this year's drilling programme to move our large hydrocarbon contingent resources towards bookable recoverable reserve status," he added.

In Algeria, where Petroceltic has a 75 per cent working interest in, and is the operator of, the Isarene permit, the company said an appraisal programme will commence in the second quarter.

Meanwhile in Tunisia, where Petroceltic has a 27.03 per cent interest and operatorship of the Ksar Hadada permit, two well drilling programme will commence in June.

In Italy, where the firm has a 75 per cent interest in the Elsa discovery, Petroceltic will begin drilling and testing an Elsa-2 well adjacent to the existing discovery well in the third quarter.