Algeria’s state-owned energy firm, SONATRACH, has broken ground on its section of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, reviving a massive infrastructure project designed to pump Nigerian natural gas directly into European markets.

The pipeline is a joint venture between SONATRACH, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, and Niger’s SONIDEP. Once fully operational, the project will establish a major export corridor across the African continent.

Designed to link gas fields in Nigeria through Niger to Algeria, the multi-billion-dollar line will tap into existing Mediterranean pipelines feeding Europe.

According to the project’s details, the newly launched Algerian segment will run along the Trans-Saharan Road corridor, stretching from the Niger border to Algeria’s National Gas Dispatching Center in Hassi R’Mel.

As the country's central gas hub, Hassi R’Mel connects to an expansive national transportation network and established maritime and pipeline export facilities.

When completed, the entire Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline will span approximately 4,128 kilometers (about 2,565 miles). Experts estimate the system will transport 20 billion to 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually.

In a statement, SONATRACH officials noted that engineers optimized the route to align with existing roads and gas networks. This strategic pathing minimizes environmental impact and leverages existing logistical and technical infrastructure to accelerate construction.

Europe has aggressively sought to diversify its energy imports, making the pipeline a highly anticipated geopolitical development. The project faces lingering security and financial hurdles across its three-nation footprint, but regional partners view the current momentum as a turning point.

SONATRACH characterized the pipeline as a vital mechanism for regional economic integration and the valorization of African energy resources.

Officials added that the corridor will stimulate local economies along the route, driving sustainable development and providing a secure, long-term revenue stream for the continent.