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Algerian Gas Plant Readies To Resume Operations

As Algerian authorities continue to assess the security situation in the country’s southern regions, the afflicted Amenas gas plant prepares to resume its activities following the terrorist attack on Jan. 16, 2013, reports Kaci Racelma.
An Algerian soldier stands at a checkpoint near a road sign indicating 10 km (6 miles) to a gas installation in Tigantourine (sometimes spelled Tiguentourine), the site where Islamist militants have been holding foreigners hostage according to the Algerian interior ministry, in Amena January 19, 2013. More than 20 foreigners were captive or missing inside the desert gas plant on Saturday, nearly two days after the Algerian army launched an assault to free them that saw many hostages killed. The standoff bet

The Tigantourine gas site in In Amenas in Algeria’s Illizi province, which has been out of operation since the terrorist attack that targeted it on Jan. 16, is set to be operational again. Activity could resume as early as Feb. 24, on the 42nd anniversary of the nationalization of the oil and gas industry in Algeria. The announcement was made during the Fourth Symposium of the Algerian Association of Gas Industry (AIG) held on Monday, Feb. 18, 2013. During this symposium,  Abdelhamid Zerguine, the CEO of Algerian energy group Sonatrach, affirmed that work could "start just before Feb. 24."

This resumption will be made ​​possible by utilizing one of the three least damaged pumps. The terrorist attack, which was primarily orchestrated  by the head of the Masked Brigade, Mokhtar Belmokhtar, caused enormous damage, especially to pump No. 3. An inspection is under way in order to precisely assess the security gaps faced by the national oil company, Sonatrach, before carrying out appropriate repairs.

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