France’s Alcatel-Lucent will provide Italy’s Saipem communications network for the $1.8bn Menzel Ledjmet East (MLE) gas treatment project in Algeria.

The company will provide a turnkey service and install communications at 19 sites at the project, including the real-time monitoring of a 500 km-long gas pipeline.

“Oil and gas companies face highly specific demands compounded by remote locations and hazardous operating environments,” Laurent Stefanini, head of Alcatel-Lucent’s business in Algeria says. “They need to minimise the risks associated with the construction of the plant, pipeline, platform and wellhead elements, but also with their daily operations.”

Alcatel-Lucent will also provide security cameras and a meteorological monitoring system at the project. The value of the contract was not disclosed.