Sonatrach and Eni complete gas pipeline in Algeria’s Berkine basin

Eni and Algerian state-owned company Sonatrach have completed the construction of a gas pipeline in the onshore Berkine basin of Algeria.

The 185km-long gas pipeline connects the Bir Rebaa Nord (BRN) and the Menzel Ledjmet Est (MLE) fields in southeastern Algeria.

With a diameter of 16in, the pipeline has the capacity to transport seven million standard cubic metres of gas per day.

Eni said: “The project will allow for the export of the associated gas produced in Block 403 (BRN and BRSW) and the development of the gas fields of the blocks of North Berkine, where the drilling of the first four wells was completed and linked, just a year after the farm-in agreements in the concessions of Sif Fatima 2, Zemlet El Arbi and Ourhoud 2 came into force in February 2019.

“Production from the oil fields in the same blocks began in May 2019 and will continue to develop during the current year.”

When operating at full capacity, the Berkine Nord gas project will bring production to a total of 6.5 million cubic metres.

With a production of 10,000 barrels of associated liquids, the project will have an overall production of 65,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) this year.

Eni has been in operation since 1981 in Algeria, with an equity production of around 90,000boepd.

In April 2018, Eni and Sonatrach signed multiple agreements to support jointly operated activities in Algeria, as well as collaborate in research and development to reduce costs and achieve greater operational efficiency.