Output at the Algerian Alrar gas field near the Libyan border has risen from 16 million cubic meters per day (cm/d) to 24.7 cm/d – a 54.4% increase – after the field was extended, Reuters reported.

State energy firm Sonotrach is pushing to raise production at ageing gas fields in order to boost Algeria’s revenue.

The Alrar gas field is one of a number of gas projects that has come online in 2017 and 2018.

The Alrar extension cost a total of $545 million, and was completed with the help of foreign firms Petrofac and Bonatti.

Algeria produced 135 billion cubic meters of gas in 2017. However, in recent years the country has struggled to attract investments.