Algeria’s shale gas reserves are six times greater than conventional reserves of the resource according to the National Agency for the Evaluation of Hydrocarbon Resources.

The agency says shale gas reserves in the North African state are about 953.5 trillion cubic feet, compared with 159 trillion cubic feet of conventional reserves. This is higher than initial reserves of 688.6 trillion cubic feet.

According to local news reports, the confirmation of the shale gas deposits means state-owned energy company Sonatrach will begin to initiate exploration and production tenders to international oil companies by the end of 2014.

MEED reported in June 2013 that Algeria’s Water Resources Ministry had assured Sonatrach that there would be enough water in the country to facilitate large-scale shale gas production.