Sonatrach To Boost Tinrhert Output
State upstream firm Sonatrach will invest some $250mn to boost output from the Tinrhert gas field in the Ohanet region of southeastern Algeria.
CEO Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour told the local press March 12 that the redevelopment would add 50 new gas wells. The money will be invested both in field development and on the existing gas treatment facilities at Ohanet.
This would boost production at Ohanet from 10mn m3/d now to 15mn m3/d towards 2020 and 20mn m3/d (7.3bn m3/yr) by 2022, said Ould Kaddour according to state news agency APS. Other reports put existing Tinrhert existing gas production at 5mn m3/d.
Newspaper El Moudjahid said the work will be handled by five local firms, four of which are Sonatrach subsidiaries (ENGCB, ENGTP, ENAC and Infratelle). Contract values were not disclosed.
Tinrhert gas field is operated by Sonatrach with a 51% interest; other shareholders were reported as Italian utility Enel 34.3% and Dubai-based Dragon Oil 14.7%. However, following a request for more info, Enel told NGW March 14 it is not a partner in the Tinrhert gas development.
Sonatrach and various partners in recent months have announced the start-up of two sizeable gas fields called Reggane Nord and Timimoun following developments that have lasted several years, with another called Touat expected to start up shortly.