Dana Petroleum has signed an agreement with BG to acquire a 50% interest in the El Manzala Offshore Area Concession, located in the Mediterranean Sea, offshore Egypt. The deal is subject to normal regulatory approvals. 

Petroceltic announced the commencement of drilling operations for the exploration well Oryx-1 on the Ksar Hadada Permit in Tunisia. Petroceltic holds a 27.03% interest and is the operator of the permit which covers an area of 5,608 square kilometers. 

Exploratory drilling has commenced on the Lambouka-1 well on the Lambouka prospect in the Kerkouane exploration license offshore Tunisia.

Circle announced that the Al Amir SE-6X down-dip flank appraisal well successfully tested a hydrocarbon bearing interval over a pay zone of approximately 8 feet in thickness in the Lower Rudeis within the interval 13,776 to 13,784 feet. A drill stem test flowed 45° API oil at a sustained average rate of 66 bopd and 1.1mmscf/d of gas using a 32/64" choke. The well was shut in for pressure build-up and plugged back to a depth of 10,520 feet. The well test confirms the presence of hydrocarbon resources in the Lower Rudies interval and while the Lower Rudeis formation will not produce at this time the results of the perforation and testing indicate potential for future work programs.

Italy’s Edison SPA, Turkey’s state-owned Botas, and Greece’s Depa SA signed a memorandum of understanding to transport natural gas from the Caspian Sea region to Italy via Turkey and the Adriatic, reducing Europe’s dependence on Russia as the main gas supplier.