Algeria's Sonatrach says makes three gas finds

ALGIERS, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Algerian state-owned energy group Sonatrach announced on Monday three gas finds in the Sahara desert, bringing to nine the number of hydrocarbon discoveries this year.

Gas was found by Sonatrach and its partner StatoilHydro (STL.OL) in the Hassi Mouina perimeter in the Gourara basin and tests showed a flow rate of 9,167 cubic metres an hour, Sonatrach said in a statement posted on its website.

It was the fifth find in this perimeter by Sonatrach-StatoilHydro, Sonatrach said.

A partnership between Sonatrach and BP (BP.L) found gas in the Bourarhet Sud perimeter in the Illizi basin with tests showing a flow rate of 11,220 cubic metres an hour.

A partnership between Sonatrach, BG Algeria (BG.L) and Gulf Keystone GKPq.L found gas in the Hassi Ba Hamou perimeter in Bechar Oued Namous basin with a flow rate of 3,776 cubic metres.

Out of the nine hydrocarbon finds in Algeria this year, three were by Sonatrach alone and six in association with partners.

The total number of oil and gas discoveries in OPEC-member Algeria rose to 20 finds in 2007 from 18 in the previous year.

Algeria pumps about 1.4 million barrels of oil per day and exports 62 billion cubic metres of gas a year, mostly to Europe. (Reporting by William Maclean; editing by James Jukwey)