Sonatrach to start two Skikda LNG trains by April, the third in July

Two LNG processing trains at Skikda, Algeria, undamaged in a massive explosion Jan. 20 that destroyed three others (OGJ Online, Feb. 18, 2004), are expected to be back in operation by April, reported Algeria's state owned oil and gas company Sonatrach Friday. A third train, which had connections to the damaged trains, is scheduled to be on line this summer. The three trains will have a total capacity of about 3.5 billion cu m/year.

Feb. 27, 2004

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, Feb. 27 -- Two LNG processing trains at Skikda, Algeria, undamaged in a massive explosion Jan. 20 that destroyed three others (OGJ Online, Feb. 18, 2004), are expected to be back in operation by April, reported Algeria's state owned oil and gas company Sonatrach Friday. A third train, which had connections to the damaged trains, is scheduled to be on line this summer. The three trains will have a total capacity of about 3.5 billion cu m/year.

Meanwhile, natural gas transmission through existing pipelines has been boosted to replace lost LNG deliveries to Algeria's customers in Europe, said Minister of Energy and Mines Chakib Khelil. The transportation capacity of the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline from Algeria to Spain and then into Portugal has been increased by about 3 bcm, he said (OGJ Online, Jan. 27, 2004).