Bechtel Inc. has completed an interesting twin gas line project in Algeria

Bechtel Inc. has completed an interesting twin gas line project in Algeria for Sonatrach. The project involved 90 km (56 mi) of dual 36 in. dia gas line in Hassi R'Mel. The system connects four gas processing plants with two natural gas reinjection stations in the Hassi R'Mel area. Since the gas produced in this field has a relatively high liquid hydrocarbon content, Sonatrach has developed a partial recycling program that will treat the raw gas in the processing plants, where the liquid is extracted and subsequently transported by pipeline to Arzew. The dry, process gas leaving the processing plants is then either shipped to one of the reinjection compressor stations for pressure maintenance of the gas reservoir, or to the Hassi R'Mel center for transport by pipeline to either Skikda or Arzew, or to Italy via the new 48 in. dia pipeline now under construction. The lines are bidirectional. The construction, ditching, pipe coating, pipelaying, welding, and inspection work done and the heavy equipment used are described and the key project personnel are named.