London, UK | – The Southern Fields project, a joint venture between Sonatrach, BP and Statoil, is the latest stage in the development of seven gas fields in central Algeria.
The In Salah Gas joint venture commenced production in 2004 from three fields in the north of the area: 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.
BP said developing the Southern Fields will maintain planned production at 9 billion cubic metres per annum.
North Africa regional president Hesham Mekawi, said: “The safe start–up 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 mmscfd gas dehydration central processing facility close to Hassi Moumene, brownfield modifications to existing processing facilities at Reg, Teg and Krechba, 150 km of carbon steel export pipelines, 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 14.1 million cubic metres per day (500 mmscfd) as wells in the Hassi Moumene and Garet el Befinat field are brought on line over the next two months.
