Oil & Gas Qatar Energy among winners of Algeria oil sites By Nadim Kawach June 18, 2025, 2:20 PM Alamy via Reuters International partners, including Qatar Energy, are preparing for intensive exploration and development of Algeria’s vast untapped oil and gas resources Five foreign groups awarded New contracts by July Boosts declining oil reserves Qatar Energy was among the winners of oil site concessions offered by Algeria within the North African country’s latest licensing round targeting the development of its eroding hydrocarbon resources. Officials in the capital Algiers said five foreign groups were awarded oil sites following strong competition from 41 companies who were in the bidding. The announcement comes amidst increased geopolitical tensions in the wider Arab region, as conflict escalates between Israel and Iran. Algerian oil minister Mohammed Arqab, who was present during the opening of the bids on Tuesday, said one site was awarded to a consortium of Qatar Energy and France’s hydrocarbon giant TotalEnergies. Another site was awarded to a consortium of Zengaz of Austria and the Swiss Velada Company, while one site was won by China’s Sinopec Company. The other winning consortium was Italy’s Eni and PTT Exploration and Production of Thailand, Arqab said. A fifth contract was won by Eni. “The contracts will be signed with the winning bidders before July 30 at the latest,” Elkhabar newspaper said, citing an oil ministry statement. The ‘Algeria bid round 2024’ was announced in November last year but was later extended to June 17 by the National Agency for the Valorisation of Hydrocarbon Resources in Algeria (ALNAFT). Algeria sets $7bn investment target for refinery projects State first, market later for Algeria’s economic vision China’s Jingdong to build $500m steel plant in Algeria The sites have a combined area of around 152,000 square kilometres, which Algeria hopes will increase its oil and gas deposits and reverse a decline in reserves because of the absence of major development projects over the past years. Algeria has been involved in talks with oil companies from Saudi Arabia and other countries for crude and gas exploration and development in a bid to maximise its resources. The country has one of the world’s largest gas deposits, officially estimated at 160 trillion cubic feet. It also controls nearly 13 billion barrels of recoverable oil reserves, which could run out within 30 years at present production levels in the absence of new major discoveries. Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later
