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 | With projects in sub-Saharan Africa (Dakar, Brazzaville, Bangui, Pointe-Noire, Conakry), Madagascar (Tamatave, Tananarive, etc.) and Morocco (Meknès, Marrakech, Fès, Agadir, Casablanca), SAFEGE plies its trade in Africa very early on its history. During this period, the company also works on water supply projects in Saudi Arabia and in numerous cities in Iran.
Drilling below Riyadh
Water shortages threaten the existence of the Saudi capital in the nineteenth fifties. After scouring the desert with a team of geologists, the SAFEGE engineer, Roman Karpoff, is convinced that Riyadh is underlain by a deep fossil aquifer. Drilling in March 1956 reveals an abundant supply of water of excellent quality. Drilling is continued to a depth of 1,307 metres and pumping begins in September. At the same time, SAFEGE begins work on a rail link between Riyadh and the Red Sea - already demonstrating its capability as a multidisciplinary engineering and development consultancy. |
1960s
| SAFEGE consolidates its home market and extends its reach across the French territory. Studies for the towns of Morsang-sur-Seine, Cadarache and Aubergenville bring it international recognition as does the design of a suspension railway, a project the company has been involved in for over two decades.
Towards the end of 1956, SAFEGE is commissioned by Lyonnaise des Eaux to explore the possibility of pumping 100,000 m3/day from the Aubergenville well-field to meet growing demand in the French capital and Paris's western suburbs. After the regulatory submissions, SAFEGE prepares the detailed design for the pumping and transmission and facilities and the project is completed nearly a year ahead of schedule. |  |
When the drawing-board dream becomes reality
 | Less costly than an underground system, less space-consuming than an overground railway, the suspension railway is seen as an answer to growing congestion in big cities. Launched in 1947, this groundbreaking project culminates in a technical achievement that captures worldwide attention and heralds SAFEGE's future involvement in the transport and urban development sectors. |
