Algerian hydrocarbon group, Sonatrach, has announced the discovery of five new oil fields in southern Algeria in the Berkine, Illizi, and Amguid/Hassi Messaoud basins.

 Three discoveries, said a statement made by the group, were made while surveying in the perimeter of Menzel Ledjmet and Zemoul El Kbar II in the Berkine basin.

A fourth oil field was discovered in the El Ouar II perimeter in the Illizi basin and a fifth in the Hassi Dzabat perimeter.

The number of oil fields located by Sonatrach is up to 16 since the beginning of 2009, 5 of which were discovered with foreign companies: three with Spanish consortium Repsol Exploration Algeria-Edison international, one with the Repsol-Gas Naturel group and one with Shell.