Algeria: SONATRACH ships its first cargo of liquefied natural gas to Croatia

In line with its gas export diversification strategy, SONATRACH shipped its first LNG cargo to Croatia, arriving at the KRK floating regasification terminal on May 22, 2024.

Loaded from the GL3Z liquefaction complex in Betihoua (Algeria) and transported by the LNG carrier OUGARTA, owned by SONATRACH, this cargo illustrates the fruit of in-depth collaboration with Croatian players since the terminal's commissioning in 2021. The aim of this collaboration was to create the conditions required for the terminal to become a reality.

Part of the regasified gas will be transported to Hungary via the Croatian gas network, facilitating SONATRACH's first natural gas supply to both countries.

SONATRACH aims to develop its exports to this region, consolidating its central role in ensuring Europe's security of supply.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is mainly composed of methane (CH4), often with a mixture of ethane (C2H6), which has undergone a cooling process to transform it into a liquid state, facilitating safe and convenient storage or transport without the need for high pressure. Under normal conditions of temperature and pressure, LNG occupies around 1/600th of the volume of its gaseous state. It is odorless, colorless, non-toxic and non-corrosive.

Sonatrach, founded in 1963, is Algeria's national oil company. Known as Africa's largest company, it comprises 154 subsidiaries and is often hailed as the continent's leading oil major. By 2021, Sonatrach had become the world's seventh-largest gas company. It is also the 12th largest oil consortium in the world, with 154 subsidiaries engaged across the entire oil value chain, from upstream to midstream and downstream operations. Sonatrach also manages oil condensate and LPG pipeline networks linking Hassi R'mel and other fields to Arzew. In particular, the company is in the process of extending the Hassi Messaoud-Azrew pipeline, the longest in Algeria, by introducing a second parallel line that will effectively double the capacity of the existing pipeline. Sonatrach holds concessions in various countries, including Libya, Mauritania, Peru, Yemen and Venezuela. The company has extended its activities to petrochemicals and seawater desalination. Created on December 31, 1963, Sonatrach initially held a modest 4.5% share of exploration acreage, with French interests dominating at 67.5%.

Sonatrach holds 50% of Numhyd, a joint venture with the Tunisian company ETAP, and of ALEPCO, a joint venture with the Libyan National Oil Corporation. In addition, in 1998, Sonatrach joined forces with Air Algérie (49%) to create the passenger airline Tassili Airlines, in which Sonatrach retains a 51% stake.