The year 2022 and the first half of this year 2023 witnessed the achievement of 23 oil and gas discoveries in Algeria, in achievements that shed light on the Algerian energy sector’s continuous activity in various fields.
The disclosure of this information came during a press conference organized by the Algerian company Sonatrach on Monday, July 10, 2023 at the headquarters of its General Directorate, with the aim of presenting its annual results for the year 2022 and its preliminary results until May 2023.
During the meeting, the company presented the outcome of the Sonatrach complex in terms of exploration, production and export figures. This was according to a statement issued by the company on the same day, and a copy of it was seen by the specialized energy platform.
23 Oil and gas discovery in Algeria
The figures provided by Sonatrach showed that 23 oil and gas discoveries were made in Algeria, of which 15 were discovered in 2022, including 3 in partnership, in addition to 8 other discoveries during 2023, specifically until the end of last May.
Commenting on these discoveries, Sonatrach confirmed that it contributes to the renewal of Algeria’s hydrocarbon reserves, in addition to strengthening Sonatrach’s position and position in the international oil and gas market, according to what the specialized energy platform read in the company’s statement.
And while the data showed that a fuel production rate in Algeria amounted to 189.6 million tons of oil equivalent during 2022, hydrocarbon exports amounted to 60 billion US dollars in 2022, which allowed achieving a net product of 10 billion US dollars, as the value of investments for the year amounted to Same $5.6 billion.
New and future projects
The Sonatrach symposium revealed the most important projects received during 2022 that entered into production, led by oil exploitation facilities in Hassi Berrekaiz, south of Berkine, Zimlet El Arabi, separation center, compression south of Hassi Messaoud, and Toqart.
This comes in addition to the gas exploitation facilities, including the integrated gas development project in Tenhert towards Ohant, and the fourth line for the exploitation of liquefied oil gas.
In the field of pipeline transport, among the recorded achievements were: the Pipeline Supervision Center, the partial rehabilitation of the OB1 line, and the receipt of the GR1/2/4/6 td turbine pressure station Ouargla, which are facilities that the complex relies on to increase production and fulfill Sonatrach’s obligations towards its customers. .
The fiscal year 2022 witnessed the signing of two hydrocarbon contracts under Law 13-19 with Sinopec in the Zerzatine field, Occidental Petroleum, Eni and Total Energy in blocks 404 and 208 in Berkine.
The symposium touched on the most important future projects of Sonatrach, including the project for the accelerated development of gas discoveries in Hassi R’mel, Ouhant and the outskirts of In Amenas, and the petrochemistry project for the methyl butyl triether unit.
Increasing investment in oil and gas
The CEO of Sonatrach, Toufik Hakkar, confirmed, in a press conference after the symposium, that the complex believes in the future of oil and gas energies, pointing to the need to invest more in this sector, in order to respond to the expected growing demand during the coming decades.
Hokkar explained that “Sonatrach believes very well in the future of gas and oil,” stressing that it will continue to invest in natural gas, in order to meet the country’s needs, develop its economy and continue exporting, according to what was published by the APS today, Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
He added, “We have seen the results of the energy transition policy for companies that have not been well studied and evaluated, and these results were reflected in the rise in gas prices even before the Ukrainian crisis, which are price levels that have not been recorded before, due to the absence of investments.”
The President reminded the General Manager of Sonatrach of the recent statements of the international oil companies, especially those made by the heads of Exxon Mobil, the British Oil Company (BP), Total Energy, and the Italian group “ENI”, who emphasized the future of natural gas as an “important energy”.
He added, “We firmly believe that the world needs this clean energy represented by gas,” stressing that “the national company is convinced of the energy transition and the need to gradually reduce the carbon footprint in production.”
He continued, saying, “The majority of studies carried out by specialized offices in this field confirmed the role of oil and gas in the energy mix,” adding that the climate issue will be taken care of by investing in solar energy.
In this regard, he referred to the launch of 5 projects that are in the process of being completed with the private funds of Sonatrach, and other projects in partnership with international companies, in order to develop electricity production and renewable energy for the benefit of production sites.
Hydrogen development in Algeria
Hokkar touched, during his speech, on the development of hydrogen in Algeria, stressing that “this new energy requires more advanced studies, technology control and a business model.”
He added, “We can say today that we are at the beginning of this technology and this market. Before developing it, customers and buyers must be guaranteed and what type of contracts should be adopted (short, medium or long-term), as well as prices and transportation methods.”
He confirmed that all these issues are in the process of being studied with the partners in the framework of signed memorandums.
He pointed out that Sonatrach is also working with the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the European Union in order to develop this energy, and that the first stage of this project is represented in achieving expertise and model experience to experiment with typical technologies and works before making “major decisions related to its development.”
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