Italian energy company Enel is planning to drill exploratory wells and acquire seismic data in Algeria’s M’Sari Akabli and Tinrhert Nord blocks.

Speaking at a conference in Algiers the general director of Enel Trade Algeria said the company was planning seismic acquisition and drilling at Tinrhert Nord by the end of 2016 and in 2017 for M’Sari Akabli.

Enel is operator of the M’Sari Akabli block and holds a 34.4 per cent stake in the project, which is located in south western Algeria between Timimoun and Ahnet Basin. Dubai-based Dragon Oil has a 14.7 per cent stake in the block while Algeria’s state-owned operator Sonatrach holds a 51 per cent stake.

Dragon Oil is operator of the Tinrhert Nord block and holds a 34.3 per cent stake in the project, which is located in Algeria’s Illizi Basin. Enel holds a 14.7 per cent stake in the block while Algeria’s state-owned operator Sonatrach holds a 51 per cent stake.

The licenses were awarded in Algeria’s fourth international licensing round in 2014.

M’Sari Akabli covers 8,096 square kilometres while Tinrhert Nord covers 2,907 square kilometres.