The Algerian energy minister has said that no decision has yet been made on which companies will be awarded the construction contract for the huge US$10 billion Trans-Sahara pipeline project.
News agency Reuters reported that Chakib Khelil said that the deal to build the pipeline will be signed by Algeria, Niger and Nigeria in Nigerian capital city Abuja next week.
“We haven’t accepted anybody yet. Only partners that can bring something to the project, not just money, should be there,” Reuters reported Khelil as saying.
The massive project is a plan to transport Nigerian gas to Algeria where it will be processed. The gas will initially be exported to mainland Europe via Algeria’s extensive pipeline networks although Khelil stated that there may be scope to build a separate pipeline in the future.Â
Many companies with a strong presence in the gas industry are interested in the project including Total, Gazprom and Eni.
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