Algeria has begun construction of its section of the Trans-Saharan gas pipeline to supply gas from Nigeria to Europe

Algeria has officially started the construction of the Algerian section of the Trans-Saharan gas pipeline TSGP, which is supposed to connect Nigeria, Niger and Algeria and provide a new route for the supply of natural gas to Europe and other international markets.

According to the Algerian agency APS, the start of work on the Algerian section marks the transition of the project to the practical implementation phase. The Nigeria-Niger-Algeria gas pipeline should have a length of more than 4,000 km and be considered one of the largest energy infrastructure projects in Africa.

On the eve of the start of construction, the fifth meeting of the project's ministerial steering committee was held in Algeria. As a result of the meeting, the parties approved the final report of the updated technical and economic feasibility study, prepared by the international consulting company Penspen, and agreed on the transition to the next stages of project implementation.

The project involves the transportation of natural gas from Nigeria through the territory of Niger to Algeria. The gas can then enter the existing Algerian gas transportation system and be exported to European and other international markets.

According to Anadolu, citing project documents, the new Algerian section under construction should have a length of about 1,210 km — from the border with Niger to Aulef, where it will be connected to the network leading to the Hassi-Rmel gas hub. From there, gas can be sent to export terminals on the Algerian coast.

The total length of the Trans-Saharan gas pipeline is estimated at approximately 4,327 km. Of them, about 1,185 km should pass through the territory of Nigeria, 720 km through Niger, and the Algerian part, taking into account new and existing sections, is about 2,424 km.

The throughput capacity of the project is indicated in various estimates at the level of more than 20 billion cubic meters of gas per year, and earlier the capacity was also called up to 30 billion cubic meters. Investments in the project in public estimates were previously estimated at approximately $13 billion, but the updated financing parameters may be specified after the approval of the feasibility study and the transition to practical implementation.

For Europe, the Trans-Saharan gas pipeline can become another potential source of diversification of gas supplies. After the beginning of the energy crisis and the reduction of dependence on Russian gas, the EU increased its interest in alternative routes from North Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, the USA and other regions.

For Algeria, the project strengthens the role of the country as one of the key gas suppliers of Europe. Algeria already exports gas to Europe through pipelines to Spain and Italy, as well as through LNG infrastructure. Connecting Nigerian gas to the Algerian system could boost the country's importance as an energy hub between Africa and Europe.

For Nigeria and Niger, the project has not only export, but also economic significance. The pipeline should create new opportunities to monetize Nigeria's gas resources, develop infrastructure, create jobs and strengthen Africa's energy integration.

However, the project remains challenging in terms of security, financing and timing. The route runs through long distances and areas with high infrastructural and political risks. Therefore, the actual completion date will depend on financing, route security and coordination among the three states.

The Trans-Saharan gas pipeline has been discussed since the early 2000s as one of the key African energy corridors. The project should connect Nigeria's gas resources with the Algerian export infrastructure and the European market through the territory of Niger.