Rosneft participates in an international exploration project at the 6,548 th.sq. km 245-S block in southern Algeria. The project is operated by Rosneft-Stroytransgaz Ltd, a joint venture between Rosneft and Stroytransgaz holding a 60% stake in the project, as well as the Algerian state oil and gas company Sonatrach, which owns the remaining 40%.

The following major exploration activities were carried out at the block during 2001–2007:

• 1,200 linear km of 2D seismic and 300 square km of 3D seismic were shot
• three exploration wells were drilled (excluding delineation wells)
• three fields were discovered (West- and East-Takuazet oil fields and North-Tesselit gas condensate field)
• three delineation wells were drilled, which confirmed the block’s hydrocarbon development potential

The reinterpretation of geological and geophysical materials for the fields, as well as creating geological and geophysical models were completed in 2008. Preparation for development of these fields is in hand. In March 2009 the development projects were approved by the Algerian Hydrocarbon Agency.

Rosneft drilled 6 exploration wells at the field in 2009. A flow of oil & gas was obtained by hydrofracturing at one of the wells at the East and West Takuazet fields.

Testing was carried out in 2010 at wells TAKE-3 and TAKE-4 at the East Takuazet field, which is located in Block 245-South (the East and West Takuazet fields and the North Tisselit gas condensate field were discovered at the Block in previous years). A development plan for the fields was also completed.

Exploration activities at the 245-South block