Algeria considers Russian partners for Trans-Saharan gas pipeline

Algeria is considering bringing Russian companies into the Trans-Saharan gas pipeline (TSGP), which is due to link Nigeria and Algeria through Niger.

Ahmed Attaf, Algeria's foreign minister, made the announcement during talks with Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, in Moscow on 27 October.

The names of the Russian partners have not been disclosed. TSA reported that TMK, a maker of steel pipes and equipment for carrying oil and gas, could take part in building the pipeline.

Attaf said he and the ambassador had discussed pipelines, gas transport and talks on Russian partners with Mohamed Arkab, minister of hydrocarbons, that morning. He said Arkab had told him that matters were moving very well and that the contract would be concluded.

Attaf also said the project was a partnership that covered Niger as well as Algeria, within the wider pipeline linking Nigeria and Algeria.

The pipeline is more than 4,000km long, and Sonatrach started work on it in June from Aoulef in Adrar wilaya.

In Algeria, the pipeline follows the trans-Saharan highway from the Niger border to the national dispatching centre at Hassi R'Mel.

The pipeline is due to carry 20bn to 30bn cubic metres of Nigerian gas a year to Europe.

The contract has not yet been signed, and no date for its signing has been given.