In 1986 Anadarko began a regional evaluation of the Algerian Saharan basins at a time when most of industry was exiting and new petroleum legislation was being written. Senior management promoted a vision for a long term exploration commitment commensurate with the opportunity for finding significant petroleum reserves.

Technical efforts quickly focused on the Ghadames and Illizi Basins where two world-class source rocks were identified and multi-pay potential existed. A contract with Sonatrach was signed in 1989, committing Anadarko to a ten-well exploration program on four blocks totaling 5.2 million acres. Seismic reprocessing, acquisition, geochemical studies, and stratigraphic studies began in earnest in 1990.

During the early phase of new seismic acquisition, the lure of the "big trap" led to the initial wildcat drilled in 1991, resulting in a dry hole. Many companies might have sought an exit strategy at this point. With the unwavering support of management, Anadarko continued technical evaluation with increased emphasis on migration pathways, regional reservoir studies, and new seismic acquisition. As work continued, the second well was successful in 1993. Data from the drilling and ongoing seismic acquisition programs continued to be integrated into a more coherent picture.

New emphasis was given to seismic imaging, hydrocarbon charging, and the depositional setting of the Triassic sandstone reservoirs. With a better understanding of the overall petroleum system, Anadarko drilled five more new field discoveries in the period 1994 through 1996. Recoverable reserves for the discoveries total 1.5 billion barrels of oil.

Key elements in achieving this success include: management vision and support; A strong relationship with Sonatrach based on mutual respect which fostered their making significant contributions, including the benefit of ideas, experience and access to their extensive database; Initial block election; improved seismic imaging; teamwork, tenacity and technical excellence on the part of the staff; and flexibility to learn from both our successes and failures to improve exploration models and drilling techniques.

Unnumbered Figure. Location map.

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