Algerian Field Starts Commissioning

Private equity-backed owned Neptune Energy and Algerian state Sonatrach have begun commissioning the Touat project. The development, which will produce 450mn ft³/day at plateau, remains on track to start gas export production by the end of the first half of 2019, operator Neptune said February 20.

Touat comprises eight gas fields and a gas processing plant and is in the Basin of Sbaa, 1,500 km southwest of Algiers, near Adrar. Neptune has 35%, as does Sonatrach. French Engie has 30% and Touat is its last remaining upstream gas asset.

The development work involved drilling 18 new development wells, along with building a road, aircraft runway, living quarters and gathering network and gas treatment facilities.

Development work also involved the installation of a connection to the main GR5 pipeline, built by Sonatrach, to collect the gas from South West Algeria and bring it to Hassi R'Mel 800 km to the north.

Neptune CEO Jim House said that "first gas in at Touat marks a significant milestone for this important project. We are now focused on delivering commercial full export production by the end of the first half of the year.”