Sound Gets Approval for Moroccan Pipe Project

Morocco-focused Sound Energy January 13 said it has received environmental impact assessment (EIA) approval from the Moroccan government to build and operate a 120-kilometre gas pipeline.

The gas pipeline will connect the proposed gas treatment plant and compression station to the Gazoduc Maghreb Europe pipeline, which connects the Hassi R'Mel gas field in Algeria, to Cordoba in southern Spain.  

Sound added that it is edging closer to securing permission to construct the gas treatment plant in the country. The initial meeting of the National Committee from the Moroccan ministry of energy, mines and environment to review the proposed gas treatment plant and compression station EIA was held on October 10, 2019.  The second meeting of National Committee to further consider and, if agreed, to approve EIA is scheduled January 28, 2020, the company said.

Meanwhile, talks with the government related to obtaining rights through a long-term lease agreement for a 50-meter wide corridor along the entire 120 km length of Tendrara Gas Export Pipeline are progressing to plan, Sound said.

The company further stated that gas sales agreement (GSA) negotiations to sell gas from its Tendrara concession to a state power company continue. Sound has now signed an amendment to the binding memorandum of understanding with Morocco's Office National de l’Electricite et de l’Eau Potable (ONEE) in order to extend the period for negotiations of the final GSA to March 31.