Morocco has finally made a tangible advance in its national gas future. In Tendrara, located in the Oriental region, teams from Sound Energy have successfully completed the very first injection of gas into the site’s collection network. This significant technical milestone paves the way for the commercialization of the first micro-LNG produced on Moroccan soil.
This milestone marks the operational launch of the TE-5 Horst project. Gas from the TE-6 well is now safely flowing through the GGS system, following the final installation of the SCADA system. The operation is led by Mana Energy Ltd, the main operator of the project (55%), alongside Sound Energy (20%) and ONHYM (25%).
The construction of the micro-LNG unit, managed by Italfluid Geoenergy, is also advancing towards completion. Full commissioning is expected in the coming months, which would place the first commercial LNG sales between the end of Q1 and the beginning of Q2 2026.
The gas from Tendrara will not enter an uncertain market. Volumes are already secured through a ten-year purchase agreement with Afriquia Gaz. The contracted quantity is 100 million cubic meters per year. The contract is based on a mechanism linked to international prices, combining the European TTF and the American Henry Hub, with a valuation range between $6 and $8.346 per MMBtu. The “take or pay” model guarantees partners visibility and secure revenues over time.
The first development phase will rely on the TE-6, TE-7 wells, and a new well, allowing for a stable production plateau over ten years. For Sound Energy, this technical launch marks the transition from a development project to a revenue-generating model.
In the medium term, Tendrara will not be limited to micro-LNG. A final investment decision is awaited for a strategic phase 2: exporting via pipeline, notably to Moroccan power plants. In the same vein, the company asserts its positioning in new energy technologies, including renewables and hydrogen.
Thus, the entry of the first gas is not merely a technical test; it signals the start of real exploitation, with an identified commercial outlet, guaranteed revenue, and the prospect of a significant increase in the Moroccan energy mix.