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Algeria states energy fields protected from terror attacks

Xinhua, April 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

Algerian Energy Minister, Salah Khebri, reaffirmed Monday that the nation's oil and gas fields are fully protected from potential terrorist attacks.

"Authorities have taken the necessary measures around the sites since the terrorist attack which targeted the Tguentourine gas field in January 2013," Khebri told reporters in Algiers.

Khebri was referring to the decision by British Petroleum (BP) and Statoil energy giants to withdraw their staff from the Krechba gas field, 700 km in southern Algiers, over a minor rocket-attack last month which al-Qaida claimed responsibility for in the Arab Maghreb Union countries.

"Whoever wants to leave is free to do so, and we cannot force anyone to stay, but BP and Statoil have to abide by their contract clauses," he noted.

Khebri declared that the Krechba gas field production is currently protected by the state-run energy giant Sonatrach.

On March 18, a terrorist group launched three home-made rockets against the Krechba gas field, located in In-Salah, 700 km in southern Algiers.

The site is jointly operated by BP, Statoil and Sonatrach. Endit