The group that operates Algeria’s Reggane Nord natural gas project has launched a tender for a contract to provide engineering studies for two planned compression boosters at the gas field.

In a statement, Reggane Group said the scope of the project would cover: “the provision of engineering studies and conceptualisation services for the installation of two compression boosters.”

Reggane Group is currently made up of Algeria’s national energy company Sonatrach, Spain’s Repsol, Germany’s Wintershall Dea, and US-based Edison.

Edison has agreed to sell its stake to Repsol and Wintershall.

After the stake sale transaction has been completed, Wintershall will hold a 24 per cent stake in the project, Repsol will hold a 36 per cent stake, and Sonatrach will hold a 40 per cent stake.

Contractors interested in bidding for the work have been told to contact Reggane Group in order to receive more details about the scope of the project.

In its statement, the group said the invitation to tender would use a single-stage format for the submission of technical and commercial bids.

It also said the deadline for bid submission is 30 days after the publication of the tender notice.

Diversifying supplies

Rapid progress on the Reggane Nord natural gas project could become prioritised as European nations look to reduce reliance on Russian gas and find alternative sources of imports.

Reggane Nord began producing in 2017 and currently has 19 producing wells, with output of 2.8 billion cubic metres a year.

The partners on the field sell all the gas produced from the field to Algeria's national oil company Sonatrach.

Edison is selling its stake in the project after setting out a plan for a major shift towards renewable energy.