The 24 February start-up of output at the Timimoun gas field makes it the second of three components of the 9bcm/y phase-1 of the country’s Southwest Gas Project (SWGP) to enter service.

The much-delayed SWGP (MEES, 14 July 2017) has for years formed the centerpiece of Algeria’s hopes of boosting gas output. But, whilst the country’s gas output may indeed top 2016’s 94.8bcm and 2017’s 94.5bcm to hit new record levels this year, the chronic delays since the project was first proposed last decade (MEES, 12 October 2009) mean that domestic gas demand has soared in the meantime. (CONTINUED - 1348 WORDS)