Built on real projects, delivered with global partners
Our team has worked on some of the most demanding energy infrastructure projects linking North Africa and Europe, alongside Sonatrach, ABB, Siemens Energy, General Electric, Saipem, IHI and other global leaders. Here are three of them.
Medgaz: the direct subsea gas link from Algeria to Europe
The project
Medgaz carries natural gas from the Hassi R’Mel fields in Algeria to Beni Saf on the Algerian coast, then 210 km under the Mediterranean to Almería in Spain. It gives Europe a direct gas supply from North Africa without crossing a third country. The pipeline was developed by an international joint venture that included Sonatrach, Cepsa, Naturgy and Engie.
The challenge
Medgaz combined a high-pressure subsea crossing with a long overland section, and brought together shareholders, contractors and equipment makers from Algeria, Spain, France, Japan, the UK and Switzerland. Every package had to meet strict international inspection and certification standards, on a tight schedule, and in a market where local procedures, relationships and language all matter.
What we did
- We worked as a trusted contractor and partner to the project, coordinating closely with the international joint venture and its partners.
- We worked with ABB teams on the pipeline’s electrical, instrumentation and telecommunications (EIT) and subsea systems.
- We worked alongside the project’s key suppliers and contractors: Mitsui & Sumitomo, who supplied the steel pipe; Saipem, who handled offshore engineering and installation with the Saipem 7000 and Castoro Sei; Lloyd’s Register, for inspection and certification; and Rolls-Royce.
- We bridged the Algerian and international sides of the project, helping teams work together across languages, business cultures and local requirements.
The outcome
Medgaz started commercial operation in 2011 and was expanded in 2021 from 8 to 10.5 billion cubic metres a year. Today it is one of Europe’s most important direct gas links with North Africa and a key part of Spain’s energy security.
Partners on this project: Sonatrach (Algeria), Naturgy (Spain), Cepsa (Spain), Engie (France), ABB / ABB Vetco Gray, Mitsui & Co. (Japan), Mitsui & Sumitomo, Rolls-Royce (UK), Saipem (Italy), Lloyd’s Register.
Sources: Medgaz – Wikipedia
Transmed and Maghreb–Europe: equipping Europe’s gas corridors
The project
For decades, Algerian gas has reached Europe through two large pipeline corridors. The Trans-Mediterranean (Transmed) pipeline runs from Hassi R’Mel through Tunisia and under the Sicily Channel to Italy. The Maghreb–Europe (MEG) pipeline runs through Morocco and under the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain and Portugal. Both depend on pumping and compression stations, power supply, control systems and regular maintenance to keep gas flowing.
The challenge
Keeping cross-border corridors of this size running and growing means sourcing heavy, highly specialised equipment from several international manufacturers. That equipment then has to clear Algerian import procedures and be installed and maintained to the operator’s standards. All of it has to happen without disrupting supply to European customers.
What we did
- For Sonatrach, we worked on the supply and technical packages for the corridors and their related facilities.
- Line pipe: we worked with Borusan Holding (Turkey) on pipe supply.
- Pumps and stations: we worked with ABB on pumps, interconnections and maintenance, including an LPG station.
- Power: we worked with General Electric on power generators, power grids and high-voltage industrial supplies.
- Control and supervision: we worked with Siemens Energy on connectors, electronic control panels and supervision infrastructure.
The outcome
Transmed’s capacity grew from 30.2 to 33.5 billion cubic metres a year by 2012, and it remains Algeria’s largest gas export route to Europe. The MEG pipeline carried up to 12 bcm a year to Spain and Portugal until 2021. Together, these corridors have been the backbone of Algeria–Europe energy trade for more than three decades.
Partners on this project: Sonatrach (Algeria), Borusan Holding (Turkey), ABB, General Electric, Siemens Energy.
Sources: Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline – Wikipedia · Maghreb–Europe Gas Pipeline – Wikipedia
Arzew: expanding Algeria’s LNG and chemical port
The project
Arzew, on Algeria’s western coast near Oran, is the country’s main hub for exporting liquefied natural gas and petrochemicals. It is home to LNG liquefaction plants, a refinery and petrochemical complexes, all served by a dedicated chemical port. To keep up with export demand, the LNG terminal and port facilities were built out and expanded.
The challenge
LNG terminals are among the most technically demanding facilities in the energy sector. They have cryogenic storage and loading systems and strict safety rules, and they must connect to plants that are already running. Delivering them in Algeria meant combining Japanese engineering with Sonatrach’s requirements and local regulations, while shipping continued at a busy export port.
What we did
- We worked with IHI Corporation (formerly Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, Japan) on the construction and expansion of the LNG terminal at the Arzew chemical port.
- We acted as the link between the Japanese contractor, Sonatrach and local stakeholders, helping the project move smoothly through Algerian procedures.
- We brought the same network to Algeria’s wider energy and industrial sector. It included Honeywell UOP (refinery technologies), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (fertiliser production), Daewoo Engineering & Construction (petrochemical complex construction) and Schneider Electric (energy management and automation). On the shipping side, it included Maersk Tankers, Hapag-Lloyd and Hyproc.
The outcome
Arzew remains Algeria’s largest hydrocarbon port and the centre of its LNG exports to Europe and Asia. The expanded terminal supports the country’s role as one of the world’s leading gas exporters.
Partners on this project: IHI Corporation (Japan), Sonatrach (Algeria).
Sources: Algeria Trade & Business Climate Analysis (port tonnage) · Arzew – Wikipedia
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