1. Consumption

The consumption of natural gas for delivery in 2010 to the domestic market is expected to reach 21 billion m³ shared out as follows;

• Power plants: 11.9 billion m³
• Industry customers: 2.8 billion m³ 
• Public distribution customers: 6.4 billion m³

It is necessary to add to these forecasts customers from NAFTEC refineries, ENIP petrochimie, ASMIDAL-engrais.

2. Customers

With regard to customers 1,200,000 new subscribers are expected to be connected over the period 2000-2010, bringing the total number to more than 2,500,000 in 2010.

However, due to distances and topography issues the generalization of natural gas distribution over the whole national territory is not conceivable.

Effort in this field should allow the rate of gas penetration to reach 40% in 2010 (rate computed in terms of electricity subscribers).

3. Physical investments

In order to take into account natural gas consumption by 2010, one must consider the development of infrastructures. This will need the following investments:

• Large transportation lines: 1200 km 400 of which in 42''.
• Public distribution: 40 new PD/year.

These new PD correspond to the realisation of 3000 km of branch lines transportation, 9000 km of distribution systems and 7500 km for the extensions and the reinforcement of the towns' grids already supplied.

4. Financial investments

The 2000-2010 programme requires a financing package of US$ 2 billion in 1999, of which 68% devoted to distribution.