Leading central European oil and gas group OMV has discovered new gas reserves in its Ahlem-1 exploration well in Southern Tunisia.

This is the third successful discovery in the permit within the last two years, according to a company official.

"The cumulative flow rate of all layers tested by the Ahlem-1 well amounts to 3,500 bbl/d of condensate and 120 cf/d (20,000 boe/d) of gas. Drilling of the next exploration well in the block is expected to commence in July," said Helmut Langanger, OMV executive board member responsible for exploration and production.

"Acquisition of 600 sq km of additional 3D seismic is also planned to start this month. OMV and the Tunisian national oil company ETAP each hold a 50 per cent interest in the Jenein Sud exploration permit, which covers an area of 1,992 sq km, 700 km south of the Tunisian capital Tunis," he added.- TradeArabia News Service