Rachid Hachichi, CEO of Algerian state energy giant Sonatrach, on 1 December presided over a “launching ceremony” for the $2.3bn ‘Phase III, Step 2’ ‘boosting’ project at the country’s giant Hassi R’Mel gas field.

The project, for which Maire Tecnimont and Baker Hughes were in May awarded the key EPC contract (MEES, 23 May), aims to “maintain production at 188mn m3/d [6.64bn cfd] via the recovery of additional reserves totaling 121bcm of dry gas, 7mn tons of condensate and 3mn tons of LPG,” Sonatrach’s Hassi R’Mel regional director, Youcef Loucif says. (CONTINUED - 165 WORDS)