Hassi R’Mel, July 31, 2025
The CEO of the SONATRACH Group, Mr. Rachid HACHICHI, conducted today a working and inspection visit to the Hassi R’Mel region, in the wilaya of Laghouat, to assess the progress of the Phase III, Stage II gas field enhancement project, considered one of the strategic projects aimed at strengthening Algeria’s natural gas production capacity.
This project was entrusted to a consortium composed of Baker Hughes – Nuevo Pignone International and Tecnimont, under a contract signed with SONATRACH on May 23, 2024, according to the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) model.
Mr. HACHICHI was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Mr. Lorenzo SIMONELLI, CEO of Baker Hughes, Mr. Paolo BORRI, Executive Director of Operations at Tecnimont, as well as several senior executives from SONATRACH, the two contracting companies, and the Group’s subsidiaries.
During this visit, a detailed technical presentation was given, indicating that 51% of the work has been completed. The technical and organizational aspects of the project were reviewed, including the pace of execution and compliance with the contractual deadlines.
The delegation then visited the construction sites of the new facilities, which include three gas compression units spread across the central, northern, and southern stations, with a total of 20 turbine compressors, as well as the adaptation of the existing gas collection network and mercury removal units.
The Chairman and CEO and his team also inspected the logistics infrastructure and the technical facilities associated with this strategic project. This project is expected to maintain a production rate of 188 million m³ of gas per day, while recovering additional reserves estimated at 121 billion m³ of dry gas, 7 million tons of condensate, and 3 million tons of LPG in the long term.
The projected completion times for the works are estimated at 33, 36, and 39 months for the central, north, and south stations, respectively. The commissioning of the compression units is scheduled successively in October 2026, January 2027, and April 2027.
This structuring project will help offset the natural decline of the Hassi R’Mel field and strengthen its capacities, thereby ensuring continuity of production, meeting national market needs, and fulfilling contractual commitments with international partners. It also consolidates SONATRACH’s position as a reliable energy supplier and a major player in the global market.