Sonatrach owns approximately 80% of total hydrocarbon production in Algeria. Militant groups operating in North Africa and the Sahel have presented security risks to oil and natural gas installations in the region. As of January 2014, Algeria was estimated to hold 12.2 billion bbls of proved crude oil reserves.
Why does Algeria need oil & gas?
Because Algeria has not meaningfully diversified its economy since 2014, oil and gas production is even more essential than ever before to the government’s revenue base and political stability.
What are the main sources of energy in Algeria?
Algeria relies on its own oil and natural gas production for domestic consumption, which is heavily subsidised. Natural gas and oil account for almost all of Algeria’s total primary energy consumption. Natural gas accounts for 98% of power generation.
How big is Algeria’s natural gas market?
In terms of market size, Algeria has the tenth-largest proven natural gas reserves globally, is the world’s fourth-largest gas exporter, and has the world’s third-largest untapped shale gas resources. It also ranks sixteenth in proven oil reserves and exports roughly sixty percent of its total production.