Three oil fields were discovered by the national hydrocarbon group Sonatrach since the beginning of 2015, said Wednesday in Oran Chief Executive Officer of the oil company Said Sahnoun. “Sonatrach discovered for the year 2015, on its own account, three oil fields of extremely important quality,” Sahnoun told APS on the sidelines of the festivities commemorating the 40th anniversary of the nationalization of hydrocarbons, hosted by the petrochemical zone of Arzew. The first oil discovery was made in the region of Touggourt while the second in Ghardaia. The third gas field was discovered in El Bayadh, said the official. These discoveries are being assessed by Sonatrach, followed by an appraisal programme that will start very shortly, added the source. Sahnoun said that the flows are “extremely encouraging ,” adding that they range between 3,000 and 4,000 barrels/day.