December 04, 2008

Algeria plans pipeline connection to southwest region

Mr Chakib Khelil energy minister of Algeria said that it is considering building a gas pipeline to connect the southwest of the country to its existing trunk pipeline network.

He added that tight gas prospects in the southwest such as the Timimoun basin have become increasingly attractive to international companies as opportunities to develop more easily accessible gas in the country decline.

Mr Khelil said that "There are a number of companies doing exploration work in this area including Repsol, Enel, Total and Gaz de France. We are looking at building a new pipeline from these fields."

It is noted that a consortium of France's Total and Spain's Cepsa is planning to submit development proposals for its Timimoun acreage to Algiers by the end of 2007. Gaz de France, Norway's Statoil, Repsol of Spain and the UK's Shell are also exploring in the area.