Drilling by Dublin exploration firm Petroceltic on the Ain Tsila field in Algeria has been deemed a success with its AT-7 well flowing at 4.9 million cubic feet a day.

Petroceltic also said that early results the AT-9 appraisal well, on the same Isarene permit, were quite promising.

Petroceltic operates the permit and has a 56.625 per cent interest, with Sonatrach holding a 25 per cent interest and Enel holding 18.375 per cent, pending approval from the Algerian authorities.