The Sonatrach group signed, Tuesday in Algiers, a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerien oil company “Sonidep”, in order to examine opportunities for bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons. , said a press release from the public group.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on the occasion of the working visit of the Nigerien Minister of Oil, Sahabi Oumarou, to Algeria, from September 28 to October 2, accompanied by a high-level delegation made up of officials and executives representing the Prime Ministry and the hydrocarbons sector of Niger as well as the Nigerien company “Sonidep”, said the press release.
The signing ceremony between Sonatrach and the Sonidep company took place at the headquarters of the general management of Sonatrach in the presence of the Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab and his Nigerien counterpart.
Thus, “the memorandum of understanding will allow the two companies to discuss cooperation opportunities in the areas of exploration, exploitation of hydrocarbons as well as refining, petrochemicals and marketing and distribution of petroleum products,” added the same source.
In this context, the Sonatrach group affirmed that “the signing of this memorandum reflects the group’s ambition to develop and strengthen the partnership with Nigerien companies through joint exchange programs relating to specialized training.”
This approach, which is part of “the Algerian-Nigerian cooperation, reflects the desire of the two countries to promote bilateral relations,” we read in the press release.
Before proceeding with the signing, the CEO of the Sonatrach group, Rachid Hachichi, received, at the headquarters of the general management, the Nigerien Minister of Oil, with whom he discussed “opportunities to strengthen cooperative relations between the two companies, particularly in the field of hydrocarbons through the prospecting and exploration project that Sonatrach is carrying out in the oil field of the “Kafra” block (northern Niger), which is recording notable progress.
In addition, the two parties discussed ways to exchange expertise in different areas linked to the hydrocarbon value chain, in particular the aspect relating to refining and petrochemicals, in addition to strengthening cooperation in the field of training. , according to the same source.
The meeting was “an opportunity to assess the progress of the strategic project to construct the trans-Saharan gas pipeline, linking Nigeria to Algeria via Niger,” notes the press release.
On this occasion, “the emphasis was placed on the importance of continuing coordination between the three parties concerned with a view to monitoring the implementation and concretization of previous decisions”.
The Nigerien Minister of Oil highlighted the importance of the project which will boost socio-economic development in the three countries, underlining his country’s readiness to resume consultations and hold a tripartite meeting in the coming weeks, the press release specifies. .
The Nigerien Minister of Oil and the delegation accompanying him will visit certain energy and training structures of Sonatrach, like the Algerian Institute of Petroleum (IAP) and the laboratory department relating to the exploration and production in the wilaya of Boumerdès.
The Nigerien delegation visited the liquefaction and separation activity units, including the Arzew refinery and the petrochemical complex in the Arzew industrial zone (Oran).
