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Projects

In Salah Gas Pipeline

Building 330 Miles of Natural Gas Pipeline Across Algeria

Our work comprised a very-large-diameter pipeline stretching north to south, from Krechba to the national gas distribution hub in Hassi R鈥橫el, from which Algeria exports the natural gas to European markets, and smaller-diameter lines transporting natural gas directly from the new Reg and Teg fields to Krechba. We completed construction two months ahead of schedule.

BP鈥檚 project director, Paul Bibby, noted 鈥渢he sheer determination of the 91制片厂 construction team to forge ahead and find solutions to every difficulty.鈥 And we managed to work safely (our approach cited within BP as a 鈥渂est practice鈥) while finishing ahead of schedule.

Algeria, Africa鈥檚 leading producer, relies heavily on revenues from the sale of natural gas as well as oil. With this section of pipeline complete, Algeria became鈥攁nd remains鈥擡urope鈥檚 second-largest supplier of natural gas. 

We constructed the pipeline using some of the largest chain-type trenching machines in the world. These machines had more than 200,000 steel teeth affixed to rotating chains to cut through the rock. We didn鈥檛 use dynamite for reasons of safety and security.

The project team dealt with southern Sahara sand dunes as tall as 13 stories and tore through huge deposits of uncommonly hard rock. In the southern portion of the project, high temperatures between June and September averaged some 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius). The temperatures, combined with sandstorms made for difficult working conditions.  Especially when moving 177 million square feet (about 5 million cubic meters) of sand.

Setting Up Camp

To house our team of 5,000 people, we established five camps along the route. We provided water, electricity, and waste disposal in addition to sleeping quarters, food service and medical facilities.