Gulfsands hits gas in Morocco

The UK’s Gulfsands Petroleum announced a gas discovery in the onshore Rharb Centre permit in northern Morocco on Monday.

The Douar Ouled Balkhair-1 exploration well, the company’s third in the permit area, flowed gas at rate of more than 283,000 cubic metres (10 mcf) per day. Drilled to a total depth of 1,140 metres, it is set to become a production well.

“We are continuing with our efforts to commence production from these discoveries and are receiving much appreciated assistance from ONHYM [the Office of Hydrocarbons and Mining] to ensure this is achieved as soon as possible,” Gulfsands’ CEO, Mahdi Sajjad, said in a press release.

Morocco has been positioning itself to attract exploration and production companies that are divesting from its less-stable neighbours but want to remain in the region. As the country imports 95 percent of its energy needs, the government is looking to increase domestic production.