Algeria finalises Russian involvement in Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on TSA
Algeria is finalising a contract that could involve Russian companies in building the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, a project of more than 4,000 kilometres linking Nigeria to Algeria via Niger. Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf discussed the negotiations with Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on 27 October, according to TSA.
Algeria is finalising an agreement that could involve Russian companies in the construction of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, a project of more than 4,000 kilometres linking Nigeria to Algeria via Niger. Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf said the final adjustments were under way during talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow on 27 October, TSA reports.
Attaf said the discussions concerned the involvement of Russian companies in the project and that Algeria’s Minister of Hydrocarbons, Mohamed Arkab, had told him the contract was close to being concluded. The companies involved have not been named. Russian steel tube manufacturer TMK could take part in the construction, according to TSA.
The pipeline is to cross Niger and Algeria. Algeria’s state-owned company Sonatrach began work in June on the Algerian section, from Aoulef in Adrar wilaya. This section follows the Trans-Saharan Highway corridor to the national dispatching centre at Hassi R’Mel, according to TSA.
The economic discussions took place on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Summit, during the meeting between Ahmed Attaf and Sergey Lavrov, which also concerned the Sahara, on 27 October.
