Algeria's In Amenas Gas Plant Expected to Reach Full Capacity Early Next Year

Algeria's In Amenas gas plant will most likely return to full capacity early next year, country’s Energy Minister Youcef Yousfi said on Tuesday, reported news agency Reuters.

The plant's capacity at 9 billion cubic metres accounted for about 11.5 percent of Algeria's natural gas output before the 2013 militant attack. The facility was attacked by al-Qaeda-linked terrorists in January last year and 800 people were taken hostage while 40 employees were killed.

In September, Statoil announced start of operations at the plant. The company, in June, approved the return of temporary manning to the plant to finalise the implementation of the outstanding security requirements.

In Amenas is a wet gas field operated through a joint venture between Sonatrach, BP and Statoil.

"The third train may restart in early 2015. All our partners have returned," Yousfi told state radio, without giving further details on the return of foreign contractors to the site, Reuters added.