فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Oujda – Agencies
Today, Monday, December 8, 2025, marks the launch of the pilot operation of the liquefied gas project at the Tendrara field in the Figuig province of the Eastern Region. This strategic step significantly strengthens Morocco’s local natural gas production capabilities and supports gradual reduction of imports, especially for the industrial and power sectors. This launch crowns long efforts led by the British company Sound Energy, in partnership with the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) and Africa Gas, a subsidiary of the Akwa Group.
Project Background and Strategic Importance
The Tendrara field is the largest onshore gas discovery in Morocco’s history, covering an area of 133.5 square kilometers under a 25-year exploitation license granted in 2018. Its reserves are estimated at 10.67 billion cubic meters of natural gas. The project represents a breakthrough in the national energy strategy, aiming to reduce dependence on imported coal and promote relatively cleaner energy sources, in line with sustainable development goals and carbon emission reduction targets.
Construction began in 2021 with a total cost estimated at $127 million, focusing on building a gas liquefaction and processing plant near the main well (TE-5) and a gas gathering system to receive the extracted quantities. The project involves international partnerships, including a 10-year supply agreement with Africa Gas to market local production, along with studies to connect the field to the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline for future export.
Pilot Operation: First Step Toward Commercial Production
The pilot operation that begins today serves as an initial phase to test the readiness of infrastructure, including a small-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant, before moving to commercial production in Q4 2025. According to an official statement from the Washington-based Energy Platform, initial production will reach a daily capacity of 3 million cubic meters, gradually increasing to 12 million cubic meters, with annual production exceeding 100 million cubic meters in the first phase, primarily intended for the Moroccan industrial sector.
Graham Lyon, CEO of Sound Energy, previously stated that this production will be transported hourly via special trucks, ensuring effective distribution within the region and throughout Morocco. Production wells have been successfully opened and tested, with completion of the front-end engineering design (FEED) study to guarantee safety and efficiency.
Economic and Social Impacts on the Eastern Region
The project is expected to bring a radical transformation to the Eastern Region, especially Figuig province, through:
- Job Creation: Thousands of direct and indirect jobs in exploration, liquefaction, and transport, supporting local development in an area struggling with unemployment.
- Regional Economic Boost: Meeting local industrial needs such as phosphate drying, ceramics, and iron production, with potential export of surplus after 2026.
- Environmental Sustainability: Reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, supporting clean electricity production, and exploring natural hydrogen and helium resources in the area.
However, experts highlight the need to strengthen environmental and social oversight to ensure balanced benefits, especially given the partnership between Sound Energy and Africa Gas (linked to Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch).
Future Outlook
This launch represents a step toward achieving energy self-sufficiency by mid-2025, with planned production expansion to supply power plants operated by the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) starting in 2027. The project is expected to enhance Morocco’s status as a regional player in the gas market, with potential export agreements to Europe via existing pipelines.
On this occasion, energy ministry officials expressed optimism that the Tendrara project will serve as a model for energy investments in remote regions, supporting territorial balance and comprehensive development.
