Algerian’s state energy giant Sonatrach has started a new development programme to extract gas from non-traditional sources, according to Abdelhafid Feghouli, interim chief executive at Sonatrach.
“The initial results are very promising as we discovered that we have very important reserves from this kind of gas,” said Feghouli.
Speaking to journalist on the sidelines of the LNG 16, which was inaugurated yesterday after a delay due to attendees late arrival because of the volcanic ash, Feghouli was very optimistic about the ability of his company to start producing gas from non-traditional sources like shale.
“We started the initial exploitation plan in 2006 with our proper efforts, as we found out that there are huge potentials in this sector,” he said. “The US experience in producing commercial quantities of gas from shale has affected the gas exports from different countries including Algeria,” he added.
To reach this expensive objective, Sonatrach has started training engineers to use technologies used in this field to take maximum benefits from it. “It is difficult and expensive technologies,” he said.
Many countries were targeting the US market before starting their gas development projects, but with the start of shell gas production in the US, this equation will change. “This situation will lead us to add value to the gas through petrochemicals and GTL projects,” he added.
