Algerian Minister of State for Energy, Mohamed Arkab, held meetings with top executives from several global energy companies on Monday. The discussions focused on enhancing investments and expanding partnerships in the hydrocarbon sector. The talks covered exploration, production, field development, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and petrochemicals. Arkab emphasized the importance of technology transfer and valuing national resources. These meetings took place on the sidelines of the 14th edition of the Africa and Mediterranean Energy and Hydrogen Conference.
The meetings included executives from Thailand's PTTEP, Oman's OQ and Petrogaz, US-based Occidental Petroleum, and Britain's Clarke Energy. Arkab discussed partnership opportunities with Sonatrach, Algeria's state-owned energy company. The talks with PTTEP's CEO, Kanita Thanyata Sartuaythaya, centered on developing the Hassi Bir Rkays field in the Berkine basin. Arkab invited PTTEP to deepen its investments in Algeria and participate in the Algeria Bid Round 2026. PTTEP expressed interest in continuing its investments and expanding its partnership with Sonatrach.
Arkab also met with Oman's OQ to discuss cooperation in hydrocarbon exploration and production, petrochemicals, and liquefied natural gas. The talks covered exchanging expertise and technology, as well as exploring new investment opportunities in Algeria. With Petrogaz, the discussions focused on cooperation in oil and gas exploration and production, and developing the existing partnership with Sonatrach. The two companies had signed a memorandum of understanding in May to explore investment opportunities in the Algerian market.
The Algerian minister met with Warren Murdock, CEO of Occidental Petroleum, to discuss developing the partnership with Sonatrach in hydrocarbon exploration and production. The talks covered field development, gas production and transportation, and petrochemicals. Arkab invited Occidental Petroleum to continue exploring investment opportunities and participate in Algeria's 2026 bid round. The company has been active in Algeria, with Murdock also serving as president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Algeria.
Arkab also held talks with James Robert Stephen Downer, the UK ambassador to Algeria, and a representative of Clarke Energy. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in oil and gas, particularly exploration, development, and exploitation of gas fields. The parties also discussed investment opportunities, reducing emissions, and gas flaring. Arkab invited British companies to participate in Algeria's 2026 bid round, which Clarke Energy expressed interest in.
On the sidelines of the meetings, Arkab witnessed the signing of a protocol agreement between the Algerian Hydrocarbons Regulatory Authority and Italy's Eni Algeria Exploration B.V. The agreement aims to exchange expertise in technical and regulatory areas, including safety, health, and environmental standards. Algeria's state-owned oil company, Sonatrach, also signed a memorandum of understanding with PTTEP to provide investment opportunities for the Thai company in Algeria's hydrocarbon sector.
These meetings and agreements reflect Algeria's efforts to expand international partnerships in the hydrocarbon sector and enhance cooperation in investment, technology transfer, and development of national resources. The country's hydrocarbon sector has significant potential for growth, with opportunities for exploration, production, and development of natural gas and oil fields. Algeria aims to attract new investments and develop its energy sector through partnerships with global energy companies.
Key points
- Algerian Minister of State for Energy Mohamed Arkab met with global energy companies to discuss investment opportunities and partnerships in the country's hydrocarbon sector.
- The meetings covered various areas, including exploration, production, field development, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and petrochemicals.
- Algeria aims to attract new investments and develop its energy sector through partnerships with global energy companies.
