Algeria aims to increase its annual production of natural gas to around 200 billion cubic meters over the next five years, Minister of Energy and Mines Mohamed Arkab revealed on Sunday.
“The investment strategy drawn up by the Sonatrach company aims to increase natural gas production over the next five years to 200 billion m3 per year, by the instructions of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who ordered to increase the volume of exports to 100 billion m3 per year”, specified Mr. Arkab, during a press conference held on the sidelines of the work of the National Meeting of distribution directors of the Sonelgaz group and directors of energy and mines at the wilaya level.
He explained that “the objective set in the short term, that is to say in the next five years, is to achieve a production of 200 billion cubic meters of natural gas to cover the growing demand at the national level and increase the volumes intended for export”.
“the average annual production of natural gas reached 137 billion m3”
After recalling that “the average annual production of natural gas has reached 137 billion m3 in recent years”, the minister affirmed that the consumption of natural gas in Algeria, a positive indicator, was increasing, particularly after the entry into operation of more than 1,400 new factories during the period 2023-2024 and with the achievements in the housing sector, which distributes more than 500,000 housing units each year, “which requires, according to him, to ensure the supply of natural gas and to adapt to the economic development of the country at all levels.
Mr. Arkab underlined, in this regard, the importance of increasing hydrocarbon production in the years to come, recalling that “the partnership contracts recently concluded by the Sonatrach group with large global companies, within the framework of the provisions of the new law on hydrocarbons, are part of this perspective.
“Efforts are underway to carry out new explorations to cover the growing demand, particularly in manufacturing industries and petrochemical plants,” he added, according to APS.
Electrical connection between Algeria and European countries via the Mediterranean
Mr. Arkab also announced the completion of the preparation of the last phase of negotiations for the launch of the electricity connection project between Algeria and European countries via the Mediterranean.
In this regard, the minister welcomed the level reached by Sonelgaz and its executives in terms of mastery of modern technologies and management of the electrical system, stressing that “the level reached by the public company in this area has reassured the partners Europeans regarding Algeria’s capacity to carry out this project.
The minister noted that the completion of this project will allow the public group to export electrical energy via a maritime line linking Algeria to southern Europe, estimating that “Algeria will become a major power in the production of electricity and control of the energy chain (production, transport, and distribution)”.
Responding to a question on the renewable energy development project, Mr. Arkab affirmed that all the projects registered under the 3,200 megawatts of photovoltaic solar energy program had been effectively launched this year to be received within 24 months. , adding that these projects will save 1.2 billion m3 of gas per year.
