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Talisman Energy Inc. reported that its subsidiary, Talisman (Algeria) B.V. has started oil production from the Menzel Lejmat North (MLN) field in Algeria and has completed the initial commissioning of oil processing and storage facilities in the field. The MLN program, operated by Burlington Resources Inc., is developing the first of a series of discoveries made on Block 405a. The block is situated in the Berkine Basin near the city of Hassi Messaoud, approximately 435 miles southeast of Algiers. The MLN field was discovered in 1996. "We are pleased that development has been completed on schedule," said Jim Buckee, president and chief executive officer. "Production from MLN is an important piece of our growth profile in the second half of 2003. We look forward to increased production from the area with the MLSE field coming on production in early 2006." Initial gross production of approximately 14,000 bbls/d of oil is expected to increase to 33,000 bbls/d in late 2003, contingent upon the connection of additional wells in satellite fields, completion of natural gas compression facilities and receipt of necessary regulatory approvals. Talisman Algeria has a 35 percent working interest in the Production Sharing Contract on Block 405a. Burlington Resources Inc. holds a 65 percent working interest and Sonatrach, Algeria's national oil company, maintains a royalty interest on the block. The MLN field and four nearby satellite oil fields on the block's northern portion are being developed in this initial phase. Subsequent phases of development are targeted for the 2006-2007 timeframe and are planned to include several fields with oil and large natural gas and condensate reserves on the block's southern portion. In addition, the Sonatrach- operated Ourhoud Field in Algeria, in which Talisman Algeria has a two percent participation, established initial oil production in late 2002. Talisman Energy Inc. is a large, independent oil and gas producer, with operations in Canada and, through its subsidiaries, the North Sea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Algeria and the United States. Talisman's subsidiaries also conduct business in Trinidad, Colombia and Qatar. - (menareport.com)