Morocco Set to Begin Liquefied Natural Gas Production by Late 2025

The fourth quarter of 2025 will be marked by the first-ever production of liquefied natural gas. "The initial capacity will reach about ten million cubic feet per day, with a gradual ramp-up to 40 million cubic feet per day thanks to the development of new deposits," said Graham Lyon, CEO of Sound Energy, in an interview with Asharq. Currently, Morocco produces less than 100 million cubic meters of natural gas per year, from small deposits located in the west of the country whose reserves are rapidly depleting. The kingdom imports almost all of its needs, estimated at one billion cubic meters per year, mainly via the pipeline connecting Spain allowing the import of liquefied natural gas.

Pending the start of production, Sound Energy is finalizing the construction of a gas liquefaction unit on the Tendrara field, located in the east of the country. Production tests should start as early as the summer of 2025. The start of commercial operation is scheduled for the end of the fall. "The exploitation of the Tendrara field is based on a concession covering an area of 133.5 km² granted for a period of 25 years from 2018. The resources are estimated at 10.67 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Since its establishment in Morocco, Sound Energy has invested more than $160 million," the CEO of the British company also said. Afriquia Gaz, a subsidiary of the Moroccan group Akwa, will be responsible for the marketing of the liquefied gas that will be produced in Tendrara, which could raise a new controversy around the economic activities of businessman Aziz Akhannouch, head of the Moroccan government.