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Sonatrach to raise gas export by 25% in 2009

Sonatrach aims to increase gas exports by 25% in 2009 to 77.5 bcm and plans for increasing gas exports to 85 bcm/year by 2012. The capacity of the Enrico Mattei pipeline, also known as the Trans- Mediterranean pipeline, with an initial capacity of about 26 bcm/year has been increased by 3.2 bcm in 2008 and is to be added a new 3.3 bcm/year capacity by end-2009. It will then reach a capacity of 33 bcm/year. A second pipeline to Italy, built in partnership with Edison, will add 8 bcm a year to Algeria's exports (Galsi). Constuction is planned to started in 2010 and first deliveries are planned in 2014. Algeria will increase foreign gas sales further, from two LNG plants under construction, which will each add 6 bcm/year by 2012. Another Algerian sub-sea pipeline to Europe, the Medgaz, will come on stream in September 2009, delivering 8 bcm a year to Spain. Sonatrach's development plan provides for generating a third of its income from foreign operations by 2015.