Sonatrach and ENI Seal $1.35 Billion Contract in Algeria

Sonatrach and ENI have signed a $1.35 billion production-sharing agreement aiming to extract 415 million barrels of hydrocarbons in Algeria's Berkine basin, strengthening energy ties between Algiers and Rome.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

The Algerian group Sonatrach and Italy’s Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi (ENI) have formalized a strategic production-sharing contract covering hydrocarbon exploration and production activities. The agreement, valued at approximately 1.35 billion U.S. dollars, concerns the Zemoul El Kbar area located in the Berkine basin, about 300 kilometers east of Algeria’s main oil hub, Hassi Messaoud. This agreement, initially valid for 30 years, includes a seven-year exploratory phase requiring a specific investment of 110 million dollars. Over the total duration of the contract, the two companies aim to recover 415 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), including around 9.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

A Strategic Area in the Berkine Basin

The Zemoul El Kbar area is part of the Berkine basin, one of Algeria’s most promising regions for oil and gas development. This zone is characterized by favorable geology and significant reserves, allowing Sonatrach and ENI to intensify their joint long-term investments. The contract includes an option for a ten-year extension beyond its initial 30-year term. The partners also plan to deploy advanced digital technology solutions to optimize extraction performance and increase well yields.

The collaboration between Sonatrach and ENI builds on a historical relationship dating back to 1981, when the Italian company began operations in Algeria. Both groups are notably responsible for jointly managing the TransMed pipeline, a critical infrastructure for transporting Algerian natural gas to Italy via Tunisia. This new agreement consolidates Algeria’s position as a major gas supplier to Europe, addressing Rome’s growing energy needs to reduce dependence on Russia, especially following the conflict in Ukraine.

Strategic Strengthening of Italo-Algerian Cooperation

Already in 2022, Algiers and Rome initiated a series of agreements aimed at reinforcing bilateral energy trade. Among these was a major hydrocarbons production agreement valued at 4 billion dollars. Italy is now actively seeking to diversify its gas supply sources, positioning Algeria among its top strategic partners. Claudio Descalzi, CEO of ENI, met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune alongside this signing, underscoring the political significance attributed to this agreement by both nations. Sonatrach’s CEO, Rachid Hachichi, emphasized the technological and operational benefits anticipated from the planned investments.

The agreement between Sonatrach and ENI thus highlights the strategic importance of the energy sector in Algerian-Italian bilateral relations, within an international context marked by the need to secure reliable long-term energy flows. This new dynamic could have lasting impacts on the regional energy map, attracting interest from international players involved in hydrocarbon trading.

Baker Hughes has secured a contract from Bechtel to provide gas turbines and compressors for the second phase of Sempra Infrastructure’s LNG export project in Texas.
Targa Resources will build a 500,000 barrels-per-day pipeline in the Permian Basin to connect its assets to Mont Belvieu, strengthening its logistics network with commissioning scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.
Brazilian holding J&F Investimentos is in talks to acquire EDF’s Norte Fluminense thermal plant, valued up to BRL2bn ($374 million), as energy-related M&A activity surges across the country.
Chevron has appointed Bank of America to manage the sale of pipeline infrastructure in the Denver-Julesburg basin, targeting a valuation of over $2 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Hungary has signed a ten-year agreement with Engie for the annual import of 400 mn m³ of liquefied natural gas starting in 2028, reinforcing its energy diversification strategy despite its ongoing reliance on Russian gas.
Wanted by Germany for his alleged role in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, a Ukrainian has been arrested in Poland and placed in provisional detention pending possible extradition.
An unprecedented overnight offensive targeted gas infrastructure in Ukraine, damaging several key facilities in the Kharkiv and Poltava regions, according to Ukrainian authorities.
The Dunkirk LNG terminal, the second largest in continental Europe, is seeing reduced capacity due to a nationwide strike disrupting all French LNG infrastructure.
Russia’s liquefied natural gas output will increase steadily through 2027 under the national energy development plan, despite a 6% drop recorded in the first eight months of 2024.
QatarEnergy has signed a long-term contract with Messer to supply 100 million cubic feet of helium per year, strengthening Doha’s position as a key player in this strategic market.
US-based fund KKR has acquired a minority interest in the gas pipeline assets of Abu Dhabi oil operator ADNOC, continuing its strategy to expand energy infrastructure investments in the Middle East.
Shell UK has started production at the Victory field north of Shetland, integrating its volumes into the national gas network through existing infrastructure to strengthen UK supply.
Exxon is seeking direct support from the Mozambican government to secure its Rovuma LNG project, as Islamist violence continues to hinder investment in the country’s north.
Chevron has signed a $690 million agreement with Equatorial Guinea to develop gas from the Aseng field, amid a long-term decline in national oil production and a search for new economic drivers.
TotalEnergies has set 2029 as the restart date for its Mozambique LNG project, frozen since 2021, delaying the exploitation of a strategic investment worth more than $20bn in liquefied natural gas.
The establishment of a dedicated entity marks a new phase for the Nigeria-Morocco pipeline, with tenders and the final investment decision expected by the end of 2025.
The European ban on Russian liquefied natural gas from 2027 is pushing Siberian producers to reorient their flows to Asia, despite logistical and regulatory constraints.
Caturus Energy has signed a multi-year contract with Nabors Industries to deploy a next-generation onshore rig, aimed at supporting the expansion of its gas output in the Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk formations in Texas.
Trinity Gas Storage partners with Intercontinental Exchange to open two new trading points at its Bethel site, strengthening East Texas’s strategic appeal in the U.S. gas market.
The Egyptian government is accelerating the deployment of its gas network and the conversion of vehicles to CNG, strengthening infrastructure despite a decline in domestic production.