Sonatrach, BP, Statoil announce startup of In Salah Southern Fields project
Sonatrach, BP and Statoil recently announced the startup of the In Salah Gas Southern Fields project through a joint venture between the three operators.
The project is the latest stage in the development of seven gas fields in central Algeria. The In Salah Gas venture commenced production in 2004 from three fields in the northern region of Algeria, including Krechba, Teguentour and Reg. The Southern Fields project involves the development of four dry gas fields: Gour Mahmoud, In Salah, Garet el Befinat and Hassi Moumene. Developing the Southern Fields will maintain planned production at 9 billion cu m annually.
Commenting on the start-up, Hesham Mekawi, BP North Africa Regional President said: “The safe startup of Southern Fields is an important example of the strength and quality of the longstanding partnership between Sonatrach, BP and Statoil and is evidence of BP’s continued commitment to invest in Algeria. I am pleased to congratulate the team at In Salah Gas on this significant achievement that will sustain production for years to come.”
Drilling of 26 planned southern field wells began in 2014 and is planned to continue until 2018. The project’s scope includes a new 500 million cu ft/day gas dehydration central processing facility close to Hassi Moumene, brownfield modifications to existing processing facilities at Reg, Teg and Krechba, and 150 km of carbon steel export pipelines. It also includes 160 km of 13% chrome corrosion resistant alloy infield flowlines and the drilling and tie-in of the 26 new wells.
Production is planned to ramp up to 500 million cu ft/day as wells in the Hassi Moumene and Garet el Befinat field are brought on line over the next two months.
