Algeria signs two oil assessment agreements with Petrogas E&P

Alnaft has signed two study agreements with Omani firm Petrogas E&P on the Touggourt and Berkine basins, aiming to update hydrocarbon potential in key oil-producing areas.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

7-Day Pass

Up to 50 articles accessible for 7 days, with no automatic renewal

3 $/week*

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles/month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 30,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The National Agency for the Valorisation of Hydrocarbon Resources (Alnaft) has signed two study agreements with the private Omani company Petrogas Exploration & Production (Petrogas E&P), targeting the oil basins of Touggourt and Berkine. The agreements were formalised on the sidelines of the North Africa Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (NAPEC 2025), held in Oran.

The two perimeters are classified as “mature” zones, where oil activity remains ongoing but requires technical reassessment to sustain or increase output levels. The Touggourt field, located in the southeast of the country, has experienced a gradual increase in production since 2016, reaching 60,000 barrels per day in 2023, compared to around 45,000 previously.

A strategic geological update

The planned studies will involve reinterpretation of seismic data, geological structure analysis and evaluation of existing reservoirs. The objective is to determine the remaining recoverable potential, with no immediate exploitation commitment. These initiatives are part of Algeria’s strategy to stabilise production at around 1 million barrels per day, after reaching 947,000 b/d by the end of August according to the latest available data.

In the Berkine basin, located in the east of Algeria, several significant discoveries were reported in 2023 by Sonatrach and its partners. Reported flow rates reached up to 3,000 barrels per day of oil and 219,000 cubic metres per day of gas, reinforcing the strategic importance of this historically productive area.

A contractual framework under national legislation

The agreements signed between Alnaft and Petrogas E&P are governed by Hydrocarbons Law No. 19-13, which came into effect in 2019. This legal framework allows for study contracts without the automatic granting of exploitation rights, aiming to attract partners while reducing geological risk.

Since 2022, Alnaft has entered into around ten similar agreements with various international players. The stated objective remains the consolidation of the national production base through enhanced subsurface knowledge, particularly in already exploited perimeters.

According to Groupement Berkine, comprising Sonatrach, Occidental Petroleum and Eni, the region has produced more than 1.7 billion barrels since the start of operations. This cumulative volume reflects the economic significance of the targeted fields, as Algeria seeks to reinforce the stability of its energy exports.

Import quotas exhaustion and falling demand push Chinese independent refineries to sharply reduce Iranian crude volumes, affecting supply levels and putting downward pressure on prices.
Serbian oil company NIS, partially owned by Gazprom, faces newly enforced US sanctions after a nine-month reprieve, testing the country's fuel supply chain.
US-based Chevron appoints Kevin McLachlan, a veteran of TotalEnergies, as its global head of exploration, in a strategic move targeting Nigeria, Angola and Namibia.
Lycos Energy finalises the sale of its Alberta assets for $60mn, planning an immediate $47.9mn cash distribution to shareholders and the launch of a share buyback programme.
Russian oil output moved closer to its OPEC+ allocation in September, with a steady rise confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
Fuel shortages now affect Bamako, struck in turn by a jihadist blockade targeting petroleum flows from Ivorian and Senegalese ports, severely disrupting national logistics.
McDermott has signed a memorandum of understanding with PETROFUND to launch technical training programmes aimed at strengthening local skills in Namibia’s oil and gas sector.
The example of OML 17 highlights the success of an African-led oil production model based on local accountability, strengthening Nigeria’s position in public energy investment.
ExxonMobil has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Iraqi government to develop the Majnoon oil field, marking its return to the country after a two-year absence.
Crude prices rose following the decision by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to increase production only marginally in November, despite ongoing signs of oversupply.
Cenovus Energy modifies terms of its acquisition of MEG Energy by increasing the offer value and adjusting the cash-share split, while reporting record third-quarter results.
Hungarian oil group MOL and Croatian operator JANAF are negotiating an extension of their crude transport agreement as the region seeks to reduce reliance on Russian oil.
Rail shipments of Belarusian gasoline to Russia surged in September as Moscow sought to offset fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure.
Denmark is intensifying inspections of ships passing through Skagen, a strategic point linking the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, to counter the risks posed by the Russian shadow fleet transporting sanctioned oil.
Nicola Mavilla succeeds Kevin McLachlan as TotalEnergies' Director of Exploration, bringing over two decades of international experience in the oil and gas industry.
Sahara Group is making a major investment in Nigeria with seven new drilling rigs, aiming to become the country’s top private oil producer by increasing output to 350,000 barrels per day.
Senegal aims to double its oil refining capacity with a project estimated between $2bn and $5bn, as domestic demand exceeds current output.
Chevron is working to restart several units at its El Segundo refinery in California after a fire broke out in a jet fuel production unit, temporarily disrupting regional fuel supplies.
Ethiopia has begun construction of its first crude oil refinery in Gode, a $2.5bn project awarded to GCL, aimed at strengthening the country’s energy security amid ongoing reliance on fuel imports.
Opec+ slightly adjusts its quotas for November, continuing its market share recovery strategy amid stagnant global demand and a pressured market.

All the latest energy news, all the time

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

7 DAY PASS

Up to 50 items can be consulted for 7 days,
without automatic renewal

3$/week*

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.