The HBNS Field was brought on production in 1998 with an initial production capacity of 60,000 barrels of oil per day.

The central production facility at the HBNS Field was later expanded to cater for increased production from the HBNS Field as well as for the production from the HBN Field and the Block 404a satellite fields. With the completion of these expansions in 2002, the combined production capacity has reached 285,000 barrels of oil per day.

Export of the produced oil takes place through a 30” pipeline linking Block 404a with the Algeria's export infrastructure to the north. Crude oil is lifted by customers at the coastal terminals.

The Ourhoud Field, located in the southeastern corner of  Block 404a, is the second largest oil field in Algeria. The  field, which extends into Block 406a and Block 405 to the south, was discovered in 1994. Drilling of development wells was initiated in late 1998, and construction of separate production facilities with a capacity of approximately 250,000 barrels of oil per day has been completed. The Ourhoud Field was brought on stream in 2002.

Exploitation Licence for development of the four Block 208 fields was granted in 2003 and development is in progress (the El Merc project).