Medgaz

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Medgaz is a planned submarine natural gas pipeline between Algeria and Spain.

Contents

[edit] History

The idea of building a direct gas pipeline between Algeria and Europe arose in the 1970s. However, the technical limitations at that time prevented the construction and operation of an ultra deepwater gas pipeline.[1] The preparation of Medgaz project started in 2001 by founding Medgaz pipeline company (Sociedad para el Estudio y Promocion del Gasoducto Argelia-Europa, via Espana S.A.). The feasibility study carried out in 2002—2003. The construction started on 7 March 2008 in Almeria, and the pipeline is expected to come operational in July 2009.[2][3]

[edit] Route

The pipeline will start from the Hassi R'mel field in Algeria and the first section will run to the port of Beni Saf. The offshore section will start from Beni Saf and the landfill site will be at the Perdigal Beach in the coast of Almería, Spain. It will be hooked up to the existing Almería-Albacete gas pipeline.

[edit] Technical description

The length of Algerian onshore section is 547 kilometres (340 mi) and the offshore section is 210 kilometres (130 mi).[4] The initial capacity of 48 inches (1,220 mm) onshore and 24 inches (610 mm) offshore pipeline will be 8 billion cubic meter (bcm) of natural gas annually. It would be possible to increase the capacity of of first pipeline, and also the option to lay a second same diameter pipeline with minimal extra construction is foreseen.[5]

Total estimated costs of project are €900 million, including €630 million for offshore section.[5] The Algerian onshore section of the pipeline to be constructed by Spie Capag and the offshore section to be constructed by Saipem.[2][6] Steel pipes are delivered by Nippon Steel, and three compressor trains would be supplied by Dresser-Rand.[7][4] Lloyd's Register would provide pipeline inspection and certification services, including vendor works inspection for the pipeline and equipment and certification for the onshore and offshore pipe lay and the construction of the compressor station.[8][1]

[edit] Project company

The head of the Medgaz company is Pedro Miro. The shareholders of Medgaz consortium:

IN 2006, BP and Total withdrawn from the project.[2] Spain's Gas Natural may become a partner of the project , taking part of Sonatrach's shares.[5]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "Lloyd's Register Wins Medgaz Contract", Downstream Today, 2007-04-30. Retrieved on 2008-03-11. 
  2. ^ a b c "Medgaz breakthrough", Upstream Online, 2007-09-21. Retrieved on 2008-03-11. 
  3. ^ a b "Work Begins On Algeria-Europe Gas Pipeline", Downstream Today, 2008-03-07. Retrieved on 2008-03-11. 
  4. ^ a b "Dresser-Rand trains to drive Medgaz flows", Upstream Online, 2007-06-26. Retrieved on 2008-03-11. 
  5. ^ a b c d "Medgaz boss eyes 2009 start", Upstream Online, 2007-04-12. Retrieved on 2008-03-11. 
  6. ^ "Entrepose connects Spie Capag", Upstream Online, 2007-05-24. Retrieved on 2008-03-11. 
  7. ^ "Nippon lands Medgaz gig", Upstream Online, 2007-02-20. Retrieved on 2008-03-11. 
  8. ^ "Lloyd's to run rule over Medgaz", Upstream Online, 2007-04-30. Retrieved on 2008-03-11. 

[edit] External links

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