A large high quality light oil and gas reserve has been discovered at a depth of 6002 meters in Shpirag, biggest onshore oilfield in southern Albania, following a titanic, almost 10-year exploration work, whilst preparations are underway for the final test on the underground pressure for the oil extraction, which, if successful, would mean a great leap forward in the country’s economic life.

Work activity is currently concentrated on appraisal drilling at the Shpirag- 5 well, part of the Appraisal Programme of the Block 2/3. A geological survey has shown that it is one of the most difficult and most challenging oilfields in the world.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku – also Minister of Infrastructure and Energy – Shell Albania executives and project managers at Shpirag4 and Shpirag-5 wells, inspected progress of the exploration work on the oilfield Shpirag-5, where drilling stage has successfully completed.

Prime Minister Rama was briefed in details by the company executives and field experts on the progress of the work to date, where the significant discovery at a depth of 6.1 km in the petroleum -bearing soil, carries with it the great promise of extracting a significant wealth for Albania and the Albanians, and the challenge of the final technical test of the stability appraisal of the pressure of the gas and oil flow to the surface.